Serbia’s remarkable consistency at the European Championship continues.
The defending continental powerhouse defeated Greece 3-0 (25:14, 25:20, 25:17) in Brno to reach the semi-finals for the eighth consecutive edition of the tournament.
Since 2011, Serbia have never finished a European Championship outside the top four — an extraordinary run that has now been extended once again under head coach Zoran Terzić.
The quarter-final lasted just 72 minutes, although Greece showed flashes of resistance, particularly in the second set.
Serbia made the decisive breakthrough early in the opening set, turning a 4-4 score into a 10-4 lead with a six-point run. Greece managed to reduce the deficit to 12-9, but Serbia immediately responded with another seven consecutive points to move 21-11 ahead before closing the set 25-14.
The second set was interrupted by an injury to Georgia-Loula Angelopoulou, who went down with an apparent left-knee injury at 2-0 following a collision with Evangelia Tani. Greece nevertheless remained competitive, taking leads at 5-4 and 12-11. Serbia regained control at 13-12 and gradually pulled away, leading 19-13 and then 22-16 before securing a 25-20 victory.
The pattern continued in the third set. Serbia quickly established a 5-2 advantage, while Greece repeatedly tried to stay within touching distance, narrowing the gap to 11-9 and later 18-15. The comeback never materialised, however, as Serbia moved decisively away at 22-16 and completed a straight-set victory at 25-17.
Tijana Bošković once again led Serbia’s attack, finishing as the match’s top scorer with 17 points, while Aleksandra Uzelac added 15, and Branka Tica contributed 12.
Greece were led by Elpida Tikmanidou and Martha Evdokia Anthouli, who scored nine points each.
The statistical difference was particularly clear in attack, where Serbia converted 51% of their attempts compared with Greece’s 38%.
Serbia also dominated at the net, winning the blocking battle 7-1, while their six aces to Greece’s three further underlined the gap between the two sides.
Serbia will now wait for the winner of Thursday’s Germany-Türkiye quarter-final.
Their semi-final is scheduled for Saturday, September 5, in Istanbul.
Later in Brno, Italy had to work considerably harder to secure the other semi-final place available from the Czech city, overcoming Sweden 3-1 (21:25, 26:24, 25:21, 25:23) after a tense four-set battle.
The result keeps Italy’s perfect run at EuroVolley 2026 alive, with Julio Velasco’s side winning all seven matches they have played in the tournament. It also sends Italy into the European Championship semi-finals for the 13th time in the history of the women’s national team.
Sweden showed immediately that they had no intention of simply making up the numbers.
Italy opened the match with a 4-1 lead and moved 11-6 ahead, but Sweden gradually found their rhythm and levelled at 14-14. The Scandinavians then took control, moving ahead 17-16 and extending their advantage to 20-18 with a block before reaching 23-19. Egonu helped Italy close the gap, but Anna Haak and Andersson completed the comeback to give Sweden the opening set 25-21.
The second set followed a similarly unpredictable script. Sweden raced to a 3-0 lead before Italy responded through a combination of Fersino’s defence and the attacking power of Egonu and Antropova. Italy moved ahead 7-5 and maintained the advantage until 16-14, but Isabelle Haak once again became the driving force behind Sweden’s response.
The Swedish opposite helped her team turn the set around and move 23-21 ahead. Italy refused to give in. Egonu levelled the score, Antropova created the first set point and, after Sweden saved it at 24-24, Antropova herself delivered the decisive point for a 26-24 Italian victory.
With the match level, Italy found another gear at the start of the third set. Fahr’s quick attack helped establish a 7-2 advantage, but Sweden continued to fight and eventually came back to within one point at 21-20.
This time, however, Italy held their nerve. Egonu took control in the closing stages, helping Italy secure the set 25-21 and move within one set of the semi-finals.
The fourth set produced another twist.
Italy appeared to be heading comfortably towards victory after opening a 17-12 lead, but Sweden launched one final comeback. Isabelle Haak and Hellvig turned the momentum around and Sweden moved ahead 22-20.
Italy responded immediately, levelling at 22-22 before finally completing the comeback. Sylla produced the decisive attack for 25-23, sending Italy through to the semi-finals and ending Sweden’s impressive run.
Isabelle Haak was once again Sweden’s main offensive weapon, finishing the match with 30 points, but Italy’s greater balance and ability to manage the decisive moments ultimately proved crucial.
Italy will discover their semi-final opponents after Thursday’s quarter-final between Poland and the Netherlands at Sinan Erdem Sports Hall in Istanbul.
The semi-finals will be played in Istanbul on Saturday, September 5, with the exact match schedule still to be confirmed.
Two quarter-finals, two very different stories: Serbia continued a European tradition of extraordinary consistency, while Italy had to survive a genuine test from Sweden.
Both, however, now have the same destination — Istanbul and a place among the final four of EuroVolley 2026.