The wait is over! EuroVolleyW begins today as Austria returns after 55 years
Feature
The wait is finally over. CEV Trendyol EuroVolley 2026 Women gets underway today, marking Austria’s long-awaited return to the European Championship after 55 years. The Austrian side will open their Pool B campaign in Brno against three-time European champions Serbia, with captain Nina Nesimovic preparing for a milestone of her own - her first EuroVolley appearance and the chance to face one of her biggest Volleyball role models.
For Austria, the return to the continental stage is already a historic achievement. For Nesimovic, it carries an even more personal meaning. The 29-year-old has spent a decade in the national team, experiencing several attempts to qualify before finally seeing the dream become reality.
"I’m really happy. It’s the first time for us to compete at this level, at the European Championship, and we are so excited. We can’t wait to show what we are made of. To play against Serbia is also a big honour for us, but we don’t want to hide. We want to perform and enjoy this environment. We are very ready and excited."
Austria have appeared at the EuroVolley only three times before, in 1958, 1963 and 1971. Their 55-year absence between their last appearance and this year’s tournament represents the longest wait between two EuroVolley appearances for any participating team. Now, rather than looking back, Nesimovic and her teammates are focused on creating a new chapter.
Nina Nesimovic"I was born in Austria and I’m playing for Austria, but I grew up watching Serbian volleyball on TV because my parents are from the Balkans, so it’s really amazing for me. We are not thinking about what happened 55 years ago. We want to set new milestones, and qualifying for this EuroVolley is already such a milestone for us. It’s amazing, and it’s something we want to give to the next generation. To play against Serbia in the first match is, of course, the cherry on top. I’m just excited to be here with my team and to enjoy this experience together."
team captain of Austria
The road to Brno has been anything but straightforward. Austria needed several attempts before finally securing their place at EuroVolley, making the qualification especially meaningful for a generation that has spent years trying to break through. For Nina Nesimovic, the journey was made even more challenging by injury. The 29-year-old had to recover from a knee problem before returning to the national team in time for the tournament.
"I was playing in Poland last season and had an old injury - I tore the meniscus in my knee again. I finished the season in the playoffs and then had to treat the injury, but I wanted to come back and help my team. My team here is more important than everything. Of course, it was a hard three and a half months of recovery, but the federation, the team and the staff helped me a lot to come back and finally compete here and be part of this team. That’s amazing. Of course, it has a big meaning for me because this was my dream. I’ve been in the national team for 10 years and we were fighting for this EuroVolley qualification, so it’s really special to me."
Her Volleyball journey started much earlier, almost by chance. Although her father played football, Nesimovic found her own sporting path after being introduced to Volleyball at school.
"My father was playing soccer, but since I am tall, he wanted me to do a sport that doesn’t have so much contact. I was approached by a teacher at my school, and I went to the first training with my best friend. I immediately fell in love with the sport."
Her love for Volleyball has taken her to the biggest stage of her career - and on the opening day, she will face a player she has admired. Maja Ognjenović, one of the most decorated players, remains an inspiration for the Austrian captain.
Nina Nesimovic"Maja Ognjenović is definitely my role model. She’s 42 and she’s playing at the highest level after so many years. She’s someone you can really admire. She is iconic and she is showing us younger generations, and those who are coming after us, that everything is possible. This is very inspiring to me."
team captain of Austria
Austria know the challenge ahead. Serbia arrive with three EuroVolley titles from 2011, 2017 and 2019 and a wealth of experience on the international stage. But Nesimovic believes her team have qualities that can make them an uncomfortable opponent.
"The team spirit and our physicality. I have to say, we are maybe not the tallest, but we have tall girls and we are also physically very good. It’s not only about being tall - it’s about jumping high, and we have many girls who are really amazing. I hope we can show that now. We also have the same spirit when we are fighting for every ball in defence. I think we can really be annoying when we go for every ball and try to put pressure on our opponents."
After 55 years of waiting, Austria finally return to the EuroVolley stage. Their first challenge could hardly be bigger, but neither could the opportunity. For Nina Nesimovic and her teammates, this EuroVolley is not about repeating the past - it is about creating memories that the next generation of Austrian players will one day look back on.