Prishtina, Kosovo – July 10, 2025 – The CEV U16 Volleyball European Championship 2025 saw Czechia and Türkiye clinch their spots in the semifinals on Thursday. Czechia secured their berth with a decisive 3-0 sweep against Hungary (25-16, 25-23, 25-23) in their last Pool II encounter at the Palace of Youth and Sports. Türkiye then confirmed their progression by overcoming host nation Kosovo with an equally convincing 3-0 victory. Looking ahead, Czechia is set to challenge Poland, the Pool I runners-up, while Türkiye will face formidable Italy, the only team boasting an impeccable seven-win record throughout the group stage of the continental championship.
Czechia Overcomes Hungary in Decisive Match
Under pressure to secure a top-two finish after an earlier loss, Czechia demonstrated remarkable resilience. They opened their final Pool II match with formidable strength, claiming the first set 25-16 through precise execution and strategic play. Hungary, with their own faint hopes of semifinal qualification, battled fiercely in the subsequent sets. Both the second and third sets featured intense rallies and powerful serves from both sides, yet Czechia maintained composure during critical moments, ultimately sealing both sets 25-23 to complete a straight-sets triumph. This pivotal victory propelled Czechia to a superb 6-1 record in the group stage, guaranteeing them a prime position in Pool II and a coveted spot in the semi-finals. Hungary concluded their tournament journey with a 3-4 record, narrowly missing out on qualification despite their valiant efforts.
Türkiye Dominates Hosts Kosovo
Türkiye also punched their ticket to the semifinals with an impressive 3-0 win against tournament hosts Kosovo (25-14, 25-14, 25-13) in their final Pool II fixture. Aware that a victory was essential for a top-two finish, Türkiye played with intense focus and determination. They quickly asserted dominance in the first set, leveraging effective serves and strong net play to win 25-14. Despite spirited resistance from Kosovo, participating in their inaugural European Championship and buoyed by home support, Türkiye`s superior squad depth and tactical prowess were ultimately decisive. The second and third sets mirrored the first, with Türkiye consistently executing their game plan, closing them out 25-14 and 25-13 respectively. This outcome secured Türkiye a 5-2 record in Pool II, placing them second behind Czechia and earning them a spot in the next stage. Kosovo, although concluding their campaign without a win, earned commendation for their unwavering commitment and the invaluable experience gained.
Road to the Knockout Stage
With Pool II action wrapped up in Prishtina, both Czechia and Türkiye are now preparing for the highly anticipated knockout stage in Tirana. There, they will vie for the European U16 title against the top contenders from Pool I: Italy and Poland.
Slovenia and Croatia Conclude Pool II with Wins
In another captivating Pool II fixture at the Palace of Youth and Sports in Prishtina, Slovenia concluded their campaign with a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory over Montenegro (25-22, 15-25, 15-25, 29-27, 16-14). Slovenia started robustly, securing the first set 25-22 with incisive attacks and sturdy defense. Montenegro, however, responded powerfully, dominating the second and third sets with 25-15 wins each, thus seizing a commanding lead. Facing elimination, Slovenia staged a remarkable recovery in the fourth set, fending off numerous match points to clinch a grueling 29-27 victory, pushing the match to a decisive fifth set. The tie-break proved equally tense, but Slovenia ultimately held their nerve to win 16-14, marking their third tournament victory. Both Slovenia and Montenegro ended their group stage with identical 3-4 records, ultimately falling short of the semifinal qualification spots.
Croatia showcased a strong and assured performance in their final Pool II encounter, securing a 3-1 victory against Greece (25-10, 18-25, 25-10, 25-14) at the Palace of Youth and Sports in Prishtina. Croatia began the match with exceptional intensity, dominating the opening set 25-10 through aggressive serving and superior net play. Greece retaliated effectively in the second set, improving their reception and gaining momentum to win 25-18, leveling the contest. However, this marked Greece`s last significant push. Croatia responded with overwhelming force in the third set, delivering another decisive 25-10 win, showcasing their exceptional organization and intensity across the court. The fourth set proceeded similarly, with Croatia maintaining control of the game`s pace and ultimately closing the match 25-14. With this outcome, both Croatia and Greece concluded Pool II with 4-3 records, finishing in third and fourth place, respectively, in their group campaign.
