The second round of Qualifiers for the U16 European Volleyball Championship recently concluded, with Balkan national teams achieving outstanding results. Greece and Bulgaria secured their places in the Final Round in both categories. Additionally, the Montenegro women’s team qualified from first place in their pool with maximum score.

Serbia and Romania (in men’s competition) qualified for the championship as the two best third-placed teams.

The Montenegrin U16 women team particularly stood out, being the only team across all five qualifying groups to advance to the championship without losing a single set.

As a reminder, Turkiye had already secured its place in both competitions earlier. Also, thanks to hosting the event, the teams of Kosovo and Albania are guaranteed participation in the upcoming championship.

The final tournaments will take place from July 2 to 13 for the women’s competition in Kosovo and Albania, while the men’s competition will be held in Yerevan (Armenia) from July 23 to August 3, 2025.

U16 Women team Bulgaria

In front of the sold-out crowd, Ziraat Bank Ankara won the CEV Volleyball Cup 2025-Men, securing their first-ever European trophy. At TVF Ziraat Bankkart Volleyball Hall in Ankara, Ziraat defeated the reigning champion Asseco Resovia Rzeszów 3-1 in the championship match. Matthew Anderson, the host team’s true-born leader, led Ziraat hammering a match-high 24 points, including seven aces, and was named the MVP of the final encounter.

Ziraat Bank Ankara – Asseco Resovia Rzeszów 3-1 (20-25, 25-17, 28-26, 25-14)

After earning a 3-2 win in the first clash of the final double-header, Ziraat Bank Ankara was one step from earning their historic trophy. However, the defending champions, Asseco Resovia Rzeszów, arrived in Ankara eager to take revenge. The team from Rzeszów had a chance to go down in history as the first back-to-back champion, and they opened the final game on a high note. Powered by Bartosz Bednorz and Stephan Boyer, Resovia proved better in the opening set, winning it 25-20. It didn’t discourage the hosts, who returned to the court with new energy. Matthew Anderson and Vahit Emre Savas led the charge, scoring 7 and 6 points, respectively, in the second set. The biggest difference was made by Anderson’s serves, since he delivered 5 aces. With such performances, Ankara won the set 25-17.

The third set turned out to be the most dramatic. Ziraat kicked it off in the best fashion, taking a 5-0 lead and keeping the score safe until 13-9. Resovia didn’t give up; great serves and spikes from Klemen Cebulj and Bartosz Bednorz helped the team to reduce the gap (13-12). From that moment the set was continued as a thrilling point-by-point race that was extended into extra time. Matthew Anderson again played in a class of his own, scoring 8 points. Ziraat kept the momentum and completely outclassed Resovia in the fourth set, aiming firmly for their maiden trophy. The team around coach Mustafa Kavaz sealed the final victory, winning the last set 25-14.

MVP Matthew Anderson tallied a match-high 24 points, including 7 aces, 1 block, and 16 kills at 53% success. He was followed by Vahit Emre Savas, who contributed with 16 points (4 blocks, 3 aces, and 9 kills—75% success).