Türkiye Crowned European Volleyball Champions After Thrilling Italy Final

Türkiye defeated Italy 3-2 in the 2026 CEV Trendyol Women’s European Volleyball Championship final in Istanbul to win the European title for the second consecutive time.

Türkiye’s national women’s volleyball team has been crowned European champion once again after beating Italy 3-2 in the final of the 2026 CEV Trendyol Women’s European Volleyball Championship.

Played at Istanbul’s Sinan Erdem Sports Hall, the final lasted 122 minutes and produced a fiercely contested battle between two of Europe’s strongest volleyball nations. Türkiye eventually prevailed after five sets, winning 15-10 in the decisive set.

Italy made the stronger start and claimed the opening set 25-16. Türkiye responded immediately, taking the second set 25-22 to level the match at 1-1.

Italy regained the advantage in the third set, winning 25-12. Facing a potential defeat, Türkiye fought back in the fourth set and secured a 25-21 victory to force a deciding fifth set.

The national team remained composed when it mattered most. Türkiye took control of the final set and won 15-10, completing a 3-2 comeback victory and securing the European title on home soil.

Under head coach Daniele Santarelli, Türkiye entered the tournament as defending champions. The team faced Latvia, Slovenia, Hungary, Germany and Poland during the group stage, finishing second in Group A with four wins and one defeat.

The road to the final continued with a 3-0 victory over Azerbaijan in the round of 16. Türkiye then defeated Germany 3-1 in the quarter-finals before producing a dominant 3-0 win against Serbia in the semi-finals.

The victory over Italy means Türkiye has successfully defended its European crown. The team won its first European Championship title in 2023, and has now followed that historic achievement with another gold medal on home soil.

Türkiye had previously reached the European Championship final in 2003 and 2019, winning silver medals on both occasions. The national team also collected bronze medals in 2011, 2017 and 2021.

The 2026 triumph marks Türkiye’s second European Championship title and confirms the national team’s position among the leading forces in women’s volleyball.

Youth and Sports Minister Osman Aşkın Bak attended the final alongside Istanbul Governor Davut Gül and Turkish Volleyball Federation President Mehmet Akif Üstündağ.

Final Score: Italy 2 – Türkiye 3
Set Scores: 25-16, 22-25, 25-12, 21-25, 10-15
Duration: 122 minutes
Venue: Sinan Erdem Sports Hall, Istanbul