Newsletters
Türkiye’s men’s national volleyball team lost 3-1 to host Romania in its fourth Group D match at the 2026 CEV Men’s European Championship, leaving its qualification hopes to the final group game.
Romania won the match at BT Arena 25-19, 25-21, 20-25, 25-18 in 110 minutes. The four sets lasted 24, 31, 26 and 29 minutes, respectively.
Maria de las Olas Rodriguez Machin of Spain and Vlastimil Kovar of Czechia officiated the match.
Romania opened the first set with a 6-4 lead. Türkiye struggled in reception, prompting head coach Slobodan Kovac to call a timeout with his team trailing 9-5.
Türkiye improved after the break and reduced the gap to three points at 15-12, but Romania, backed by the home crowd, closed out the set 25-19.
The second set began with both teams exchanging points before Romania produced a four-point run to build a 12-7 advantage.
After both sides picked up points from service errors, Türkiye cut the score to 16-14. Romania was stronger in the closing stages and took the set 25-21 for a 2-0 lead.
Türkiye responded in the third set after the opening 16 points left the teams tied 8-8. Türkiye began to gain the upper hand in attacking, moved ahead 11-8 and later stretched the advantage to seven points at 21-14.
The national team won the set 25-20, cutting Romania’s match lead to 2-1.
The fourth set remained tight early, with neither team leading by more than two points before the score reached 10-10.
Romania then scored four consecutive points during Rata’s service rotation. Türkiye answered through a block from Gokcen Yuksel to make it 14-12, but Romania pulled away in the remaining stages and won the set 25-18 to complete a 3-1 victory.
Türkiye opposite hitter Adis Lagumdzija did not play because of injury.
Romania recorded its second group victory, raising its total to seven points and securing qualification for the round of 16.
Türkiye’s hopes of advancing will be decided in its fifth Group D match against Latvia on Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 5 p.m. Türkiye time.
Romania’s lineup featured Bartha, Dumitru, Bala, Rata, Lupu and Chitigoi, with Kosinski, Balean, Bagdas, Aciobanitei, Bratau and Runcan also appearing.
Türkiye fielded Kaan Gurbuz, Ahmet Tumer, Mert Matic, Gokcen Yuksel, Murat Yenipazar and Efe Bayram, with Abdulsamet Yalcin, Cafer Kirkit and Hilmi Sahin also taking part.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
