Sweden arrive at EuroVolley on the back of European League success
News
The matches in Pool D of the CEV Trendyol EuroVolley 2026 Women will be played in Göteborg. Sweden will host the European Championship for women for the first time in history. Thirty-seven years ago, in 1989, Stockholm and Örebro hosted the 16th edition of the European Championship for men.
Interestingly, Italy claimed the European title on that occasion, winning the trophy for the first time in their history, with the legendary Julio Velasco at the helm. The Argentine coach is now in charge of the Italian women’s national team, the reigning Olympic and World champions. Italy’s opening match in Göteborg, against Croatia, will see Velasco become the oldest head coach ever to take part in a EuroVolley since 2011. On 21 August, Velasco will be 74 years and 193 days old, thus surpassing the previous record held by Arie Selinger, head coach of Israel, who was 74 years and 171 days old when EuroVolley 2011 got underway.
Italy are the clear favourites in Pool D. They have made 27 appearances at the European Championship, winning a total of eight medals: three golds (2007, 2009 and 2021), two silvers (2001 and 2005) and three bronzes (1989, 1999 and 2019).
Italy can become only the second team in history to hold the Olympic, World and EuroVolley titles simultaneously. The Soviet Union achieved the feat twice – from 1968 to 1972 (Olympc Games, World Championships, EuroVolley and Olympic Games) and again from 1988 to 1991 (Olympic Games, EuroVolley, World Championship and EuroVolley).
Apart from Italy, Croatia are the only other team in Pool D to have previously won medals at the European Championship, claiming three silver medals (1995, 1997 and 1999) in their 15 appearances.
In terms of EuroVolley appearances among the teams in Pool D, France lead the way with 18 participations, followed by Slovakia with six and Sweden with five.
Montenegro are the only debutants at the 2026 European Championship.
Italy and France competed in the FIVB Volleyball Nations League 2026, with Italy finishing third and France ending their campaign in 17th place.
The remaining four national teams in Pool D of CEV Trendyol EuroVolley 2026 Women competed in the CEV Volleyball European League 2026.
Sweden claimed the European League title for the second time, following their triumph in 2024, and will play in the FIVB VNL 2027. Slovakia finished fourth, Croatia 11th, while Montenegro concluded the competition in 13th place.