Latvia stuns Turkey to reach European Volleyball Championship round of 16

Latvia's men's national volleyball team delivered a strong performance in the Romanian city of Cluj-Napoca, defeating Turkey 3:1 in their decisive Group D match at the European Championship 2026. The set scores were 26:24, 23:25, 26:24 and 25:16, reflecting a tight and hard-fought contest in which the Latvian players held their nerve in crucial moments.

The victory proved decisive for the team led by head coach Uģis Krastiņš. Although Latvia finished fourth in its group, the win secured the team's advancement to the round of 16 at the European Championship. For Turkey, the loss meant the end of their tournament run.

What's next

Having reached the knockout stage, Latvia's volleyball team will continue competing for further progress in the European Championship, while Turkey's squad will have to wait for its next chance to compete on the international stage.