Turkey stage remarkable comeback over Italy to defend EuroVolley 2026 title

In the EuroVolley 2026 final in Istanbul, the Turkish women's volleyball team made an impressive comeback against Italy, the reigning Olympic and world champions, to win the match 3-2. The game was dramatic with set scores of 16-25, 25-22, 12-25, 25-21 and 15-10. Italy started confidently and easily took the first set 25-16 with sharp attacking and good blocking. Turkey, backed by more than 17,000 home fans, regained momentum and won the second set 25-22. The third set saw Italy dominate again, winning 25-12 to put Turkey on the brink of defeat. However, showing the character of defending champions, the hosts won the fourth set 25-21, leveling the match at 2-2. In the decisive fifth set, Turkey exploded out of the blocks, led early, and finished 15-10 to complete a remarkable comeback. This victory helped Turkey successfully defend their EuroVolley title for a second consecutive time since winning in 2026, and secured direct qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Earlier in the day, Serbia defeated Poland in the bronze medal match to take third place. This result also means the four top European women's teams – Turkey, Italy, Serbia and Poland – have officially qualified for the 2027 Women's World Cup. The final was not only a high-level contest but also reflected the great development of European women's volleyball, with the teams playing passionately and emotionally. Turkey's victory on home soil against a strong opponent like Italy demonstrated great spirit and determination. Italy, despite the loss, showed world-class quality and will be a major contender for future titles. With this success, Turkey has sent a strong message to rivals for Los Angeles 2028, establishing themselves as one of the strongest teams in the world. Moreover, the passion of the Istanbul crowd in the final was a testament to the love of volleyball and the growth of women's sport in the country. Turkey's journey towards more titles continues, and we can look forward to even more impressive performances from them in upcoming international tournaments.