Sotola shines for Czechia, Mujanovic sparks Slovenia victory

On Friday, the CEV Enel EuroVolley 2026 Men action in Pool A moved from Naples to Modena, where Czechia, led by experienced opposite Marek Sotola, prevailed 3-1 over Greece in a thrilling encounter full of momentum swings. In the second match of the day, the bronze medallists from the previous edition, Slovenia, opened their campaign with a straight-set victory over Slovakia at the Palapanini in Modena. The result, however, was far from straightforward, as Slovakia pushed their decorated opponents hard throughout the match. The game-changer proved to be Nik Mujanović, whose incredible service run helped Slovenia regain control and secure an important victory.

Czechia vs Greece 3-1 (25-21, 25-17, 23-25, 25-23)

After their breakthrough campaign at last year’s World Championship, Czechia arrived in Modena with ambitions extending well beyond simply progressing from the pool, as captain Patrik Indra highlighted ahead of the match. Greece, meanwhile, were equally eager to make their mark and seize their opportunities at this edition of EuroVolley. Both sides opened with plenty of energy and confidence, treating the fans to a series of fierce rallies from the very first points. Czechia were first to establish a two-point advantage at 10-8, with Lukas Vašina finding the mark from the service line with an ace. Greece responded immediately, and Dimitrios Mouchlias followed with an ace of his own to level the score at 10-10 and restart a tight point-by-point battle. Alexandros Raptis led Greece with seven points in the set, while Mouchlias added five. Czechia relied heavily on Vašina and Marek Sotola, who contributed seven and five points respectively, with Vašina once again putting his team in front at 16-14 with a powerful spike. As the set entered its decisive stages, Vašina emerged as Czechia’s main offensive weapon. The outside hitter continued to deliver when it mattered most, and it was his kill that sealed the opening set for Czechia at 25-21.

Czechia looked to carry their momentum into the second set, but Greece refused to give in. A spectacular rally ended with a block from Lukas Vašina and Jakub Klajmon stopping Mouchlias, giving Czechia an extra boost at 8-6 and sparking an explosive celebration from the Czech side. Greece continued to fight, applying pressure from the service line while also throwing everything into their defence. Czechia, following Sotola’s powerful spike for 13-9, began to take full control of the court. Dominating across all components of the game, they steadily extended their advantage to 16-10. Greece head coach Konstantinos Christofidelis used both of his time-outs, but his side were unable to close the gap. Sotola was unstoppable in the set, recording six kills from six attempts for a perfect 100% attack success rate. An ace from Klajmon extended Czechia’s advantage to 21-13, and Czechia wasted little time closing out the set 25-17 to move one step closer to victory.

The team coached by Jiří Novák were determined to close their opening match in three sets, racing to an early 4-1 lead and keeping Greece at bay after two consecutive aces from Matouš Drahonovský extended the advantage to 9-5. Although Czechia were in control at 13-8, Greece continued to push and cut the deficit to just two points at 13-11, forcing Novák to call his first time-out. With their backs against the wall, Greece stepped up the pressure, led by Lampros Pitakoudis, who scored five points at a perfect 100% in attack, and Alexandros Raptis, who also added five. The visitors almost completely erased the deficit, closing to 17-16 before an ace from Stavros Kasampalis levelled the score at 19-19 and set up another tense finish. Greece then seized the initiative as an ace from Raptis put them in front at 22-21. The visitors held their nerve in the closing rallies, withstanding Czechia’s late push to claim the set 25-23 and extend the match.

Greece took an early 8-6 lead, but with Luboš Bartůněk at the service line, Czechia fought back from two points down to move 10-8 ahead. Greece were not discouraged, however, quickly erasing the deficit and taking back the initiative. A fierce point-by-point battle followed, with both teams giving everything in the fight for every rally. Czechia were powered by Vašina and Sotola, who contributed six and five points respectively, while Greece relied on Angelos Markou, who scored six. The hosts looked to have gained the upper hand when an attack from Matouš Drahonovský gave them a 22-19 lead, but Greece refused to surrender. A spike from Protopsaltis levelled the score at 23-23 and set up another dramatic finish. This time, however, Czechia held their nerve. They won the final two rallies to close the set 25-23 and complete a hard-fought four-set victory in their EuroVolley opener.

Marek Sotola topped the scorers’ chart with 18 points, including 15 kills at 58% success and three blocks, followed by Lukas Vašina with 16. For Greece, Alexandros Raptis tallied 16 points, while Athanasios Protopsaltis added 12.

Slovakia - Slovenia 0-3 (29-31, 15-25, 18-25)

The bronze medallists from the previous edition of EuroVolley and regulars on the podium in recent years, Slovenia opened their campaign against Slovakia, whom they had never previously defeated at the European Championship. Their three previous encounters at the competition, in 2001, 2007 and 2009, all ended in Slovakian victories. Slovenia captain Tine Urnaut had said before the match that it was time to pay back those defeats, but it was Slovakia who made the brighter start. Playing without fear, Slovakia raced to a 3-1 lead and extended their advantage to 8-5 after an ace from Daniel Sellong. Applying heavy pressure from the service line, they pushed further ahead at 11-6 following another ace, this time from Patrick Matejcik. Slovenia gradually began to find their rhythm, and after an intense rally finished with a clever play from Rok Možič, who scored five points in the set, they cut the deficit to 12-11. They did not stop there, as a service run from Uroš Planinšič helped Slovenia move in front for the first time at 13-12. Slovakia responded by regaining control and restored a three-point advantage at 19-16, with Julius Firkal and Jakub Ihnát leading the charge. Firkaľ scored seven points at 58% attack efficiency, while Ihnat added five at an impressive 71%, repeatedly finding ways through the Slovenian defence. Slovenia, however, showed their experience when it mattered most. They stayed in the fight through a dramatic closing stretch and, after saving several opportunities, finally prevailed in a marathon finish, with Nik Mujanović delivering the decisive spike to seal the opening set 31-29.

Slovenia took an early 7-5 lead, but an ace from Julius Firkal brought Slovakia level at 7-7, setting up another tight battle that continued all the way to 11-11. Then Nik Mujanović stepped up at the service line and became the hero of the set, helping Slovenia surge to a commanding 19-11 lead. His incredible service run included four aces and completely shifted the momentum in Slovenia’s favour. Great plays from his experienced teammates Tine Urnaut and Alen Pajenk, who are celebrating a record 10th EuroVolley appearance, also played a key role, with Urnaut contributing three points and Pajenk four in this set. Slovenia maintained their control through the closing rallies, with Pajenk’s spike sealing the set 25-15.

Slovakia, however, refused to give up. After a competitive opening, Slovenia raised their level, working particularly well in the block, with Jan Kozamernik and Nik Mujanović making their presence felt at the net. An ace from Alen Pajenk helped Slovenia move 10-6 ahead, and although Slovakia continued to fight and put pressure on the favourites, the team coached by Fabio Soli kept the score under control, leading 16-11 and later 22-17. Mujanović and Pajenk continued to lead Slovenia’s offensive efforts, and a spike from Mujanović gave the hosts a series of match points. They needed only one, as Klemen Šen stepped up with an ace to seal Slovenia’s 25-18 victory and complete a 3-0 win.

Mujanović finished as the match’s top scorer with 14 points, including four aces, one block and nine kills at 47% efficiency. Možič and Pajenk added 10 points each, while Július Firkaľ led Slovakia with 12.