Czechia and Hungary maintain their perfect records in Pool II of the #EuroVolleyU16W championship after securing hard-fought tiebreak victories against Türkiye and Montenegro, respectively. Meanwhile, Croatia and Greece bounced back from opening-day defeats in Prishtina with convincing straight-sets wins over Slovenia and hosts Kosovo. In Pool I in Tirana, top volleyball nations Italy and Poland also hold perfect records, having won both their matches played so far.
In arguably the most thrilling and high-quality match of Pool II to date, Czechia pulled off a stunning comeback to beat Turkey 3-2 (16-25, 28-30, 25-19, 26-24, 15-11) on the second day of the CEV U16 Volleyball European Championship 2025 in Prishtina. Türkiye began strongly, comfortably winning the first set 25-16 with effective attacking and solid defence. The second set was a tense battle, going beyond the standard 25 points, with Türkiye narrowly winning 30-28 to take a seemingly commanding two-set lead.
However, Czechia displayed impressive resilience and skill. The Czech players refused to give up, turning the match around with a 25-19 win in the third set, fueled by aggressive serving and a faster offensive pace. They then won a tense fourth set 26-24, forcing a decisive fifth set. With momentum on their side, Czechia completed their comeback, staying focused and composed to win the final set 15-11. This handed Türkiye their first loss of the tournament and kept Czechia`s undefeated streak alive.
The match was a prime example of high-level youth volleyball, featuring long rallies, emotional swings, and excellent performances from both teams. Czechia`s mental strength and varied technical play confirmed their status as strong contenders in Pool II, while Türkiye showed their competitiveness with a powerful and disciplined performance. This five-set epic, the longest and most captivating match in Pool II so far, highlighted the excitement of the second day in Prishtina and set a high standard for future contests.
Hungary continued their winning form in Pool II with a tough 3-2 victory against Montenegro (25-17, 20-25, 15-25, 25-18, 15-9) in another gripping five-set encounter at the Palace of Youth and Sports in Prishtina. Hungary started well, taking the first set 25-17 with organised defence and effective attacking plays. Montenegro responded strongly, adjusting their game and taking advantage of Hungarian errors to win the second set 25-20. The Montenegrin momentum carried into the third set, dominating with strong serves and quick attacks to secure a convincing 25-15 win and a 2-1 lead in the match.
However, Hungary showed character and tactical awareness, regrouping in the fourth set. With better blocking and renewed energy, they leveled the match by winning 25-18, setting up a decider. In the crucial fifth set, Hungary controlled the key moments with composed play and effective serving pressure, winning the set 15-9 to earn their second Pool II victory and remain undefeated. Both teams showed great intensity and determination, but Hungary`s consistency and experience in critical phases proved decisive. Despite the loss, Montenegro displayed significant skill and remains a serious competitor in the group. This result strengthens Hungary`s position near the top of the table as Pool II continues to provide exciting volleyball action in Prishtina.
Later in the afternoon, Croatia achieved their first win in Pool II with a dominant 3-0 performance against Slovenia (25-18, 25-14, 25-15). After a difficult first day, the Croatian team came out with increased energy and determination, taking control from the start. They built an early lead in the first set with effective serving and strong net play, closing it out 25-18. Croatia raised their game further in the second set, dominating with aggressive attacks and solid defence. Slovenia struggled to match their intensity, and Croatia cruised to a 25-14 set victory.
Croatia maintained their momentum in the third set, showing improved rhythm and teamwork. Their consistent pressure forced errors from Slovenia, and Croatia finished the match convincingly with a 25-15 win. This straight-sets win is an important turning point for Croatia, building confidence for the next stage of group play. For Slovenia, it was a tough match, and they will need to recover and improve in their upcoming games.
In the final match of Day 2 at the Palace of Youth and Sports in Prishtina, Greece secured their first win with a dominant 3-0 performance against hosts Kosovo (25-9, 25-4, 25-11). Greece established complete control from the outset with powerful serving and a disciplined overall game. Their aggressive play quickly disrupted Kosovo`s rhythm, leading to a comfortable 25-9 win in the first set. Greece increased their pressure in the second set, capitalizing on unforced errors from the home side and executing flawlessly to achieve a remarkable 25-4 set victory.
Kosovo showed some improvement in the third set, supported by the home crowd, but Greece`s superior organisation and consistent performance prevailed, as they closed out the match 25-11. This win is a crucial rebound for Greece after their opening defeat, while Kosovo continues to gain valuable experience in their first European Championship appearance. The host team will aim to learn from these matches.
As Day 2 concludes in Prishtina, the group standings are becoming tighter, with each match proving vital on the path to the knockout rounds.
Gideon Holt