North Macedonia begin their road to EuroVolley 2026 with clear ambitions

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The road to CEV Enel EuroVolley 2026 has officially begun also for North Macedonia, with the men’s national team gathering on Thursday at Hotel Montana in Kruševo, a mountain town in southwestern North Macedonia, to launch their preparations for the continent’s premier volleyball competition.

Head coach Josko Milenkoski immediately set the tone for the weeks ahead, making it clear that there will be little room for distractions as North Macedonia prepare for another major European campaign.
All but one player were present at the opening meeting, with middle blocker Filip Savovski expected to join the group later in the day. The squad also welcomed back experienced outside hitter Aleksandar Ljaftov, who missed the 2026 CEV European League after suffering an ankle ligament injury.

Milenkoski opened the first day of preparations by presenting statistics and data from the team’s build-up to EuroVolley 2023, using the previous campaign as a reference point while outlining his expectations for the coming weeks. An intensive training programme awaits the players, with discipline and attention to detail set to be at the heart of the preparation.

“My methodology and approach are well known to each and every one of you. I expect a professional attitude, seriousness and commitment. We are here to achieve a result, which means that everything else must be secondary and our entire focus must be on Volleyball. We will have the responsibility to go through all the information once again, so that there is no misunderstanding regarding our system, tactics and discipline. Everything that defines our game must be reaffirmed and further developed. We will not go to the European Championship as outsiders. We have a clear goal of achieving a result, and there are certain national teams that we will pay particular attention to during the preparations,” Milenkoski said when welcoming the team.

The Macedonian coach also stressed the importance of making the most of every day available before the tournament begins.

“We have 35 days until the start of the European Championship, so we will work at an accelerated pace, but with carefully controlled intensity, and I believe we will get to the championship fully prepared.”

The squad was also welcomed in Kruševo by Federation Vice-President Ivica Hadži Iljoski and Secretary General Filip Despotovski, who underlined the importance of maintaining the unity that has characterised the national team in recent years.

“Welcome, and thank you for accepting the call-up. It is particularly pleasing to see that the team has remained together in the same composition, that Milenkoski, our most decorated coach, will lead us at another European Championship, and that we have maintained our unity and cohesion. We are realistic, we have no illusions, and we are fully aware of the strength of the opponents we will face at the European Championship. Nevertheless, I sincerely hope for success and believe that if we are given an opportunity to advance to the second stage, we will take it. This team has experience and knows very well what it means to play at a European Championship, which is why I have no doubt that each of you will give your maximum. I wish you successful preparations and, above all, good health so that you all reach the start of the European Championship ready to compete,” Vice-President Hadži Iljoski emphasised.

North Macedonia will compete in Pool B in Sofia, where they will face co-hosts Bulgaria, as well as Poland, Ukraine, Portugal and Israel.

For the Macedonians, EuroVolley 2026 represents another chapter in a remarkable period for the national team. Following their historic debut at the European Championship in 2019, they are now preparing to make their fourth consecutive appearance at the continental finals.

Experience will be one of North Macedonia’s biggest assets, but so too will be the ambition to go beyond simply taking part. With a familiar squad, an experienced coach at the helm and 35 days of preparation ahead, Milenkoski’s message is already clear: North Macedonia are heading to EuroVolley with the intention of competing, not simply making up the numbers.

Source: CEV

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