MOSTAR, July 27, 2026 – The Bosnia and Herzegovina Women’s U20 National Volleyball team has gathered in Mostar, where it has officially begun preparations for the U20 Balkan Volleyball Championship, which will take place in the city on the Neretva river from August 19 to 23, 2026.
The championship is one of the most important youth volleyball competitions in the region and also serves as the first qualification round for the 2027 European Championship. A total of nine national teams, members of the Balkan Volleyball Association (BVA), will compete, with eligibility limited to players born in 2008 or later.
Mostar to host a prestigious international competition
The Bosnia and Herzegovina U20 national team will spend nearly a month in Mostar preparing for the championship under the guidance of head coach Saša Slijepčević from Gacko and assistant coach Ilijana Dugandžić from Čapljina, ensuring the team is fully prepared for the opening matches.
This sporting event carries special significance, as Mostar will host an international volleyball tournament of this level for the very first time, making it the first competition of its kind ever staged in the southern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Hosting the championship marks an important step forward in the development of volleyball and further confirms that Bosnia and Herzegovina has the capacity to successfully organize major international sporting events.
The first step towards the 2027 European championship
“We are proud that Bosnia and Herzegovina will welcome the region’s most talented young volleyball players. Excellent training conditions have been provided in Mostar, and I believe this championship will give a significant boost to the development of volleyball while providing additional motivation for our young athletes,” said Anita Glibić, president of the Volleyball Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The championship is organized by the Volleyball Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, while the University Volleyball club Mostar serves as the technical organizer.
The U20 Balkan Volleyball Championship will provide Bosnia and Herzegovina with an excellent opportunity to showcase its ability to host major international sporting events, while also giving the country’s young volleyball players the chance to take their first step towards qualification for the 2027 European Championship in front of a home crowd.