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Netherlands remain unbeaten and book their place in the CEV Volleyball European League 2026 final!
After a four sets win celebrated yesterday at SaZa Topsporthal Doetinchem, Joel Banks’ side did the same on the same venue winning second leg game with the same result, 3-1 (25:14, 18:25, 25:22, 25:19).
The Dutch played another tough challenge against Israel, which, just like them, had won all six of their League Round matches. However, in the opening set, they dominated with a clean 25-14.
Israel responded strongly in the second set, levelling the match with a 25-18 win. From then on, it became a hard-fought battle in which neither team could surrender, but The Netherlands ultimately came out on top by winning the final two sets 25-22 and 25-19.
“We finished the job well today,” said middle blocker Siebe Korenblek after the game after a 12 points performance with 55% in attack and 6 of the winners’ 12 winning blocks.
Fabian Plak also made a significant contribution from the middle with 10 points, 73% in attack and 1 block.
Sil Meijs topped all charts with 24 points through 55% in attack, 5 blocks and 3 aces, while Shay Liberman, Mark Rura and Ilay Haver scored 13 points each for Israel.
By reaching the final and thanks to Czech Republic’s early elimination from the European League, the Netherlands is set to make a significant jump in the world rankings after a series of strong games in recent weeks.
If Finland fail to reach the European League final, or if the Netherlands defeat Finland in the final, the Dutch could secure a return to the Volleyball Nations League (VNL), the highest international competition from which they were relegated last season.
“That has been one of our clear objectives since the start of the season. We want to get back to the VNL, and perhaps it can happen sooner than we expected. But we will have to earn it ourselves. This weekend we have shown that we have taken an important step forward in terms of our level. For many people, this is an unfamiliar team with several new faces, but they have demonstrated that there is real quality in this squad,” said head coach of the Netherlands Joel Banks
The final will be taking place on July 8 (home match) and 11 or 12 (return game).
And about Finland, the team coached by Olli Kunnari took a huge step towards final after a strong performance in Denmark in second semifinal, 1-3 (25:16, 20:25, 22:25, 20:25).
Finland, winners of last year’s European Golden League, remain well in contention for another triumph, after recording seven wins in as many matches they have played in the European League so far.
Even though the home team claimed first set 25-16, Finland replied well and avoided a first loss at the hands of their opponents in 24 years, thus improving their historical record in matches with Denmark to 33 wins and only six losses!
Luka and Nooa Marttila scored 16 points each for the winners, while Oskar Kjerstein Madsen and Mads Kyed Jensen were again the top scorers for Denmark with 19 and 16 points, respectively.
Still, everything remains open as Wednesday, July 1, Finland need to win the return match as well in order to progress to the final – where they would play the Netherlands. When the two teams play each other again in Nokia, Finnish setter Fedor Ivanov will reach 100 caps with the national team.
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🏐| CEV Volleyball European League 2026 | LEAGUE ROUND MATCHES | Semifinals
FIRST LEG
Saturday June 28, 2026
📍 SaZa Topsporthal Doetinchem
• 15.00 (Local Time) | Israel (4) – The Netherlands (1) 1-3 (23:25, 30:28, 23:25, 19:25)
👉🏼Sunday June 29, 2026
📍 Odense Idrætshal Odense V
• 17.00 (Local Time) | Denmark (3) – Finland (2) 1-3 (25:16, 20:25, 22:25, 20:25)
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SECOND LEG
👉🏼Sunday June 29, 2026
📍 SaZa Topsporthal Doetinchem
• 13.00 (Local Time) | The Netherlands (1) – Israel (4) 3-1 (25:14, 18:25, 25:22, 25:19)
Wednesday July 1, 2026
📍 AGCO Power Arena Nokia
• 18.15 (Local Time) | Finland (2) – Denmark (3) 3-1 (22:25, 25:22, 25:19, 25:22)
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