
Turkey defeated Italy 3-2 in the 2026 CEV European Volleyball Championship final and won the championship for the second time in a row.
AI-generated summary
Following the championship in 2023, Türkiye also achieved victory in the 2026 CEV European Volleyball Championship.
National Women's Volleyball Team defeated Italy 3-2 in the 2026 CEV European Volleyball Championship final and became European champion for the second time in a row.
National Women's Volleyball Team faced Italy in the final of the 2026 CEV European Volleyball Championship. Italy finished the first set of the match played at Sinan Erdem Sports Hall with a score of 25-16 and took the lead 1-0. Winning the second set 25-22, the Crescent-Stars leveled the score: 1-1. In the third set, Italy was ahead 25-12: 2-1.
THE BREAKING MOMENT OF THE MATCH: VARGAS' TEARS
In the match played last night, the Sultans of the Net lost the 3rd set by a heavy margin of 25-15 and fell behind 2-1. Melissa Vargas, one of the stars of our team, could not fully concentrate on the game until this moment and after the 3rd set, which was lost by a heavy margin, she could not control her emotions and burst into tears.
TEARS TURNED INTO A STRUGGLE
Captain Eda Erdem was the first to notice Vargas' tears, while Zehra Güneş and Gizem Örge hugged and consoled the star player. From that moment on, there was a completely different team on the field. Vargas' tears helped the team unite in the 4th set, increasing their ambition and fighting power.
VICTORY CAME WITH A GREAT PLAY IN THE REMAINING 2 SETS
Leading 25-21 in the fourth set with a great game, the National Women's Volleyball Team took the match to the final set: 2-2. Playing a good game in the fifth set, the national team won the match 3-2 and became European champions.
VARGAS IS THE MOST VALUABLE OF THE TOURNAMENT
The winner of the 2026 CEV European Championship's Most Valuable Player (MVP) award was Melissa Vargas from Türkiye.
The cross-setter, who competed with the crescent-star team against Italy in the final, played an important role in the crescent-star team reaching the European championship with his performance throughout the organization. Vargas was also named MVP after the victory in 2023.
HE WAS ALSO ELECTED IN THE DREAM TEAM
The dream team of the 2026 CEV European Championship has been announced.
The dream team included champions Melissa Vargas, Derya Cebecioğlu, Zehra Güneş and Gizem Örge from Türkiye, second Alessia Orro and Myriam Sylla from Italy, and third place Hena Kurtagic from Serbia.
The head coach of the dream team was Daniele Santarelli, the champion head coach of the National Women's Volleyball Team.

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