Podgorica will host the first round of the CEV U18 Men’s European Championship Zonal Qualifiers from 3 to 7 January, as the region’s top youth national teams gather at the SC Verde sport hall for an intense and highly competitive tournament.
1st Round Zonal Qualifications U18 Men European Championship 2026
The Montenegrin U18 national team will begin its campaign against Türkiye, a strong opponent partially composed of players who finished seventh at last season’s U16 European Championship. The match will serve as an important early test for the hosts as they look to secure a place in the knockout stage.
On Sunday, Montenegro will face Kosovo, while the final opponent in Group A on the road to the semifinals will be Romania. All matches of the Montenegrin national team are scheduled for 18:00, and admission to the “Voco” Sports Hall is free, offering fans the opportunity to support the young talents from the stands.
Group A features Montenegro, Türkiye, Romania, and Kosovo, while Group B includes Serbia, Greece, and Bulgaria. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals, with the knockout phase scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday.
The stakes are high, as only the tournament winner will secure direct qualification for the U18 European Championship, set to take place from 7 to 18 July 2026 in Italy. Additionally, the next four best-ranked teams from the BVA zonal tournament will advance to the second round of qualifications, planned for 26 to 29 March.
With five days of high-level competition, Podgorica will once again confirm its status as a strong volleyball host, while young players from across the Balkans and beyond will have the opportunity to showcase their talent and take a crucial step toward the continental stage.
Match Schedule
SC “Verde”, Podgorica
Saturday, 3 January
Serbia – Greece (15:30)
Montenegro – Türkiye (18:00)
Romania – Kosovo (20:30)
Sunday, 4 January
Greece – Bulgaria (15:30)
Montenegro – Kosovo (18:00)
Türkiye – Romania (20:30)
Monday, 5 January
Kosovo – Türkiye (15:30)
Montenegro – Romania (18:00)
Bulgaria – Serbia (20:30)
Tuesday, 6 January
Match for 5th–6th place: 3A – 3B (15:30)
Semifinal 1: A1 – B2 (18:00)
Semifinal 2: B1 – A2 (20:30)
Wednesday, 7 January
Match for 3rd place (16:00)
Final (19:00)