Spain focused on EuroVolley 2026, but with home-based EuroVolley 2028 in mind

Spain are about to play their first CEV Trendyol EuroVolley 2026 match in Baku’s Pool C on Saturday. They are fully focused on their opening encounter with Belgium and the rest of their games at the National Gymnastics Arena in Azerbaijan’s capital, and possibly beyond, but they are also excited about the prospect of playing the next European Championship in two years at home in Spain.

47-year-old setter Patricia Aranda is certainly the team’s most experienced player. She has played at a number of European Championships, starting with her first one almost 20 years ago, in 2007, but she is just as proud to compete at EuroVolley 2026 as her youngest teammates, some of them at less than half her age.

“Being part of a European Championship is a source of great pride,” Aranda told cev.eu. “Every year, it becomes increasingly difficult to earn a place among the teams that qualify for the most important international competitions, so competing once again at a European Championship is extremely important for Spanish volleyball, as we continue striving to establish ourselves among the best teams in the world. It gives us the opportunity to compete against the best teams in Europe and, of course, to increase the international visibility of our sport. In our country, the number of registered volleyball players continues to grow year after year, and having the opportunity to be role models for younger generations at a European Championship is a privilege, both for me personally and for the entire team.”

Spain’s team captain and libero Patricia Llabres has also piled up plenty of European Championship experience. At the age of 30, she is about to compete at her fourth EuroVolley.

“On a personal level, playing at a European Championship is always special to me,” said Llabres. “It is a fantastic competition, but also a very demanding one. Competing with the national team reflects many years of hard work and is the result of everything we have been building together. Being among the best national teams in Europe once again gives us enormous motivation to keep competing at the highest level and to represent Spain in the best possible way. We are ambitious, and although we know how difficult the challenge will be, our goal is always the same.”

And then, there is 23-year-old middle blocker Lola Hernandez, who is about to enjoy her EuroVolley debut.

“Having the opportunity to compete at a European Championship with the national team is something very special and something I truly value,” Hernandez pointed out. “Knowing that we will be facing teams of such a high level is also incredibly motivating, because these are exactly the kind of matches and experiences that help you grow as a player. They push you to perform at your best and allow you to discover how far you can go. Competing against the best teams in Europe gives us the opportunity to keep improving, test ourselves at the highest level, and showcase all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes. For the national team and for Spanish volleyball as a whole, I believe it is extremely important to be present at competitions like this, because they give us greater visibility and show that Spanish volleyball continues to grow and that we are capable of competing at the highest level.”

For the Spanish squad, it is particularly important to test themselves in a highly competitive environment, to find success and confidence, and to grow as a team right now, as EuroVolley 2026 can also serve as the team’s grand rehearsal before the next edition of the European Championship, which they will co-host on the Canary Islands and where they will perform in front of their beloved home fans.

“For me, it is something very special, even more so knowing that it will take place in my home region, Gran Canaria,” said Hernandez. “Volleyball is deeply rooted in the Canary Islands, with a passionate fan base and a strong volleyball culture, so having the opportunity to play a European Championship there, in front of our home crowd, is going to be incredible. I’m sure we will feel their support every step of the way. I also believe it is a fantastic opportunity to bring volleyball closer to the public, especially younger generations, giving them the chance to enjoy the sport and experience volleyball at the highest level. Hopefully, it will also provide a major boost for the continued growth of volleyball in the Canary Islands and across the rest of Spain, while helping our sport gradually gain the visibility and recognition it deserves.”

“Playing a European Championship on home soil is going to be something truly unique,” added Llabres. “Welcoming the national teams to Spain, having our fans in the stands, feeling their support and experiencing a competition like this at home will be incredible for all of us. Hosting an event of this magnitude is also a huge opportunity to give volleyball greater visibility, bring more people closer to the sport and, above all, give younger generations role models who can inspire them to start playing. I believe it can provide a very important boost for the future of Spanish volleyball.”

Aranda is also excited about Spain hosting EuroVolley 2028 and sees it as a great opportunity for Spanish volleyball.

“When I heard that Spain would be hosting the next European Championship, my first thought was: how wonderful it will be to bring a competition of this level to Spain! I believe this is the right moment for us to take major steps forward in every sense. As a player, it represents both a commitment and a responsibility – one that every player should embrace – to make it to that tournament and help establish our country among the best in Europe. There is a lot of young talent knocking on the door and ready to step up. This is the moment to take another step forward. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the federation and everyone who has made it possible for Spain to host a European Championship.”

But still, EuroVolley 2026 is in the present, EuroVolley 2028 is in the future, and Aranda knows well that the future always starts now.

“Right now, however, our full focus is on the 2026 European Championship in Azerbaijan, with our group stage just about to begin. Once this tournament is over, our attention will turn to 2028,” she concluded.