Italy and Türkiye set for a dream EuroVolley Final as Istanbul awaits a battle of champions

The final everyone had been waiting for is now a reality.

Italy and Türkiye will face each other on Sunday in Istanbul for the CEV EuroVolley 2026 Women’s title, bringing together two of the most dominant forces in world volleyball and setting the stage for a spectacular conclusion to the European Championship.
Both teams reached the gold medal match with convincing semi-final victories on Saturday, although their paths could hardly have been more different.
Türkiye, playing in front of a passionate home crowd at the Sinan Erdem Sports Hall, swept Serbia aside 3-0 (25:20, 25:19, 25:20), while Italy overcame Poland 3-1 (25:19, 25:19, 21:25, 25:16) to book their place in another major final.

For Türkiye, it was a statement.

Three years after the unforgettable EuroVolley 2023 final against Serbia – the longest and one of the most dramatic gold medal matches in the history of the competition – the two sides met again, this time in the semi-finals. But there was no five-set thriller in Istanbul. The defending European champions dominated from beginning to end, needing just three sets to send Serbia into the bronze medal match.
More than 15,000 spectators turned the Sinan Erdem Arena into a sea of noise as the home team continued their title defence. Melissa Vargas once again led the Turkish attack with 18 points, winning the highly anticipated duel with Serbia’s Tijana Bošković, who finished with 14.
Türkiye immediately put Serbia under pressure and gradually took control of the opening set. Vargas and captain Eda Erdem provided the leadership, while the Serbian attack struggled to find consistency against a well-organised Turkish block and defence.
The pattern continued in the second set. Serbia had particular difficulties in reception, making life increasingly difficult for its setters and often leaving Bošković with few attacking options. Türkiye took advantage and moved two sets ahead with another 25-19 scoreline.
Serbian coach Zoran Terzić tried to change the rhythm of the match with several substitutions, but nothing was enough to disrupt Türkiye’s momentum. Serbia showed more resistance in the third set, yet the hosts remained composed and closed the match 25-20, triggering a huge celebration inside the arena.
Vargas was the match’s top scorer, but Türkiye’s middle blockers also played a decisive role. Zehra Güneş and Eda Erdem both contributed 11 points, underlining the depth and balance of Daniele Santarelli’s team. Aleksandra Uzelac added 11 points for Serbia.
After the match, Terzić took full responsibility for his team’s performance, admitting that Serbia had struggled mentally from the very beginning. Bošković was equally honest, acknowledging that neither she nor the team had reached their usual level. However, Serbia will still have one more important match to play: the battle for bronze.
Türkiye’s victory also carried historical significance.
The team has now reached its fourth EuroVolley final, following previous appearances in 2003, 2019 and 2023, and will be guaranteed a fifth consecutive medal at the European Championship – a remarkable run that began with bronze in 2017.

A few hours later, Italy completed the picture.

The reigning Olympic and world champions defeated Poland 3-1 in a performance that once again demonstrated why Julio Velasco’s team has become the benchmark of international women’s volleyball.
Italy controlled the opening two sets with impressive authority. Poland had moments of quality and tried to challenge the Azzurre with their physical game, but Italy were more consistent when the pressure increased, taking both sets by the identical score of 25-19.
Poland, however, refused to disappear.
In the third set, Stefano Lavarini’s team finally produced its best volleyball of the evening. Poland built an early advantage and played with greater aggression, while Julia Szczurowska became increasingly influential. The Polish side held off Italy’s attempts to recover and claimed the set 25-21, briefly reopening the contest.
But Italy had no intention of allowing the match to become a five-set battle.
The Azzurre returned to the court for the fourth set with renewed determination, quickly rediscovering their rhythm and control. Their superiority became increasingly evident as the set progressed, and Italy eventually closed the match 25-16 to seal a sixth appearance in a European Championship final.
Paola Egonu led Italy’s scoring with 20 points, while Ekaterina Antropova added 14 and captain Anna Danesi contributed 13. For Poland, Szczurowska scored 15 points and Martyna Czyrniańska added 12.
The result means Italy will now play for their fourth European title, having previously lifted the trophy in 2007, 2009 and 2021. For a team that already holds the Olympic and world crowns, Sunday represents an opportunity to add another extraordinary chapter to one of the most successful periods in Italian volleyball history.

And what a final it promises to be.

Italy against Türkiye. The Olympic and world champions against the reigning European champions. One of the most complete and disciplined teams in the world against a powerful Turkish side driven by the energy of an entire nation.
The stakes are even higher because the European title will not be the only prize on the line. The winners will also secure a direct ticket to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The final will be played on Sunday evening in Istanbul, where Türkiye will have the enormous advantage of a home crowd expected to create another unforgettable atmosphere. Italy, however, have repeatedly shown that pressure does not intimidate them.
History adds another intriguing element to the contest.
Italy and Türkiye have developed one of the most fascinating rivalries in modern women’s volleyball, with their meetings often producing memorable matches on the sport’s biggest stages. Now they will meet again with continental gold at stake.

Before the final, Serbia and Poland will battle for the bronze medal – a match that still offers both teams the chance to leave Istanbul with something tangible after their semi-final disappointments.
But the spotlight will inevitably belong to the evening.
One arena. Two giants of the modern game. A European crown. An Olympic ticket.
After more than two weeks of competition across four host countries, EuroVolley 2026 has arrived at its final act.
And it could hardly have asked for a bigger one.