European League: Finland inflicted to The Netherlands first defeat to take first step towards 2026 title!

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In first leg of 2026 CEV European League, defending champions Finland inflicted to The Netherlands first defeat of the competition celebrating an exciting 3-1 (27:25, 23:25, 25:23, 25:13) win in front of their home fans at Nokia’s AGCO Power Arena.
In a hard-fought clash, with the only exception of a one-sided fourth set, Luka Marttila led the charge with 27 points through 64% in attack, 3 aces and 3 blocks, while Aaro Nikula left the court also in double digit with 12.
Sil Meijs scored 22 points on the other side of the net.

Finland claimed a closely contested first set (27-25) before the Netherlands regrouped to secure a 25-23 win in the second one. The hosts replied by taking the third set by the same score before they asserted their full supremacy in the fourth (25-13). The Netherlands had previously claimed eight wins in a row across the Pool Stage and semifinal series, conceding only two sets along the way, both against Israel.
Interestingly, this was the first victory for Finland against the Netherlands since the CEV EuroVolley 2013 pool phase, as the Dutch had claimed 12 wins in a row since that day!

Decisive second leg at Sportcampus Zuiderpark in Den Haag on Saturday, July 11 at 19.30 Local Time, a city where also host to the U18 Beach Volleyball World Championships as well as EuroVolley U22 Women Final Round!

NO PLAGIARISM! RESPECT THE OTHER’s JOB!

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🏐| CEV Volleyball European League 2026 | LEAGUE ROUND MATCHES | FINAL

👉🏼FIRST LEG | Wednesday July 8, 2026
📍 AGCO Power Arena Nokia
• 17.15 (Local Time) | Finland – The Netherlands 3-1 (27:25, 23:25, 25:23, 25:13)

SECOND LEG | Saturday July 11, 2026
📍 Sportcampus Zuiderpark Den Haag I
• 19.30 (Local Time) | The Netherlands – Finland 1-3 (15:25, 25:20, 18:25, 21:25)

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