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North Macedonia closed their CEV Enel EuroVolley 2026 Men campaign with a first victory, defeating Israel in straight sets at Arena 8888 Sofia, 0-3 (21:25, 23:25, 22:25).
For Israel, it was undoubtedly their worst performance of the tournament, ending a campaign that had included moments of promise but ultimately fell short of qualification.
With North Macedonia already out of contention for the knockout stage, the match offered to Joško Milenkoski’s side an opportunity to finish their campaign on a positive note. Ans so they took that opportunity, producing a more consistent and efficient performance when the match entered its decisive moments.
North Macedonia established control early in the opening set, moving ahead 5–2, 8–4 and 10–5. Israel gradually found a response, reducing the deficit to 15–14 before levelling the score at 19–19. The North Macedonians, however, remained composed in the closing rallies and secured the set 25–20 with a powerful block.
Their superiority in attack was evident in the statistics, with North Macedonia recording 67% efficiency compared with Israel’s 48%. They also held an advantage in positive reception, 48% to 35%, while adding one block and one ace.
Israel started the second set with a 6–4 lead, but neither side managed to establish a consistent rhythm. At 12–12, the balance began to shift. Israel’s errors allowed North Macedonia to play with greater freedom, and a block gave Milenkoski’s team a 14–12 advantage.
North Macedonia maintained control at 16–13 and 22–18, although Israel mounted a late challenge. The Israelis reduced the deficit to 22–21 and saved a set point at 24–23, but North Macedonia held their nerve to close out the set 25–23.
Israel again made the better start in the third, moving 5–3 ahead. North Macedonia responded quickly, bringing the score level at 7–7 and then remaining within touching distance through 10–9 and 15–14. The decisive shift came when North Macedonia moved 17–15 ahead and took command of the closing exchanges, completing the straight-set victory.
North Macedonia finished with a 55% to 45% advantage in attack and led positive reception 56% to 50%. They also served three aces without conceding one, while both teams recorded five kill blocks.
Israel’s 19 unforced errors proved costly, including ten in the third set alone. North Macedonia committed 17 errors but were more effective in the moments that mattered.
Nikola Gjorgiev led the winners with 20 points to his name through 63% in attack and 1 block, followed by Stojan Iliev with 14, while Shay Liberman was once again Israel’s top scorer with 21 points through 63% in attack, and the latest to surrender.
“We are happy and satisfied because we showed how we can play our game. It was a nice performance, and we finished the championship with a good game. The Macedonian fans were so loud that we could feel their energy, and this definitely helped us today,” said middle blocker Filip Savovski.
For Israel, the defeat brought a frustrating conclusion to a tournament in which they had shown clear signs of progress. They had taken a set from Ukraine and defeated Portugal, but their final performance in Sofia lacked the consistency and composure needed to challenge North Macedonia.
“We are a small country with a lot of ambition. We try to do our best. About the game today, it was difficult. Everybody expected us to win, and we learned our lesson. Everyone can lose, everyone can play badly, and everyone can be amazing,” said setter Noam Ariel.
North Macedonia finish Pool B with their first victory, while Israel end their EuroVolley campaign without advancing to the knockout stage.
Portugal, meanwhile, take the fourth and final qualifying place from the group.
For both teams, the tournament is over. But North Macedonia leave Sofia with a result that offers a positive conclusion, while Israel will have to reflect on a final performance that fell well below the level they had shown earlier in the competition.
MORE TO FOLLOW
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🏐| CEV Enel EuroVolley 2026 | Wednesday, September 16, 2026
POOL A📍PalaPanini Modena
• 16.00 (Local Time) | Sweden – Slovakia
• 21.00 (Local Time) | Czech Republic – Slovenia
🏐| POOL A STANDINGS (updated on this day)
1. Italy 12
2. Czech Republic 8
3. Slovenia 6
4. Greece 6
5. Sweden 1
6. Slovakia 0
👉🏼POOL B📍Arena 8888 Sofia
• 16.00 (Local Time) | Israel – North Macedonia 0-3 (21:25, 23:25, 22:25)
📸| PHOTOGALLERY OF THE MATCH
• 19.00 (Local Time) | Poland – Bulgaria 2-3 (25:20, 29:31, 23:25, 25:19, 18:20)
📸| PHOTOGALLERY OF THE MATCH
🏐| POOL B FINAL STANDINGS
1. Poland 13
2. Ukraine 12
3. Bulgaria 11
4. Portugal 4
5. North Macedonia 3
6. Israel 2
POOL C📍Nokia Arena Tampere
• 17.00 (Local Time) | Denmark – Serbia
• 20.00 (Local Time) | The Netherlands – Estonia
🏐| POOL C STANDINGS (updated on this day)
1. Finland 10
2. Belgium 10
3. Denmark 6
4. Serbia 5
5. Netherlands 2
6. Estonia 0
POOL D📍 BT Arena Cluj Napoca
• 17.00 (Local Time) | Türkiye – Latvia
• 20.00 (Local Time) | France – Romania
🏐| POOL D FINAL STANDINGS
1. France 12
2. Germany 11
3. Romania 7
4. Türkiye 3
5. Latvia 3
6. Switzerland 3
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NEXT GAMES: Thursday, September 17, 2026
POOL A📍PalaPanini Modena
• 16.00 (Local Time) | Slovakia – Greece
• 21.05 (Local Time) | Italy – Slovenia
POOL C📍Nokia Arena Tampere
• 17.00 (Local Time) | Serbia – Belgium
• 20.00 (Local Time) | Finland – Estonia
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👀|QUICK LINKS
• EuroVolley 2026 – Calendar
• EuroVolley 2026 – All News
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