From 0-2 Down, Turkey Stun Italy to Claim EuroVolley 2026 Crown in Istanbul

When the third set ended 12-25 against Italy, the atmosphere inside Istanbul's arena turned heavy. More than 17,000 Turkish fans quieted for a few seconds before applauding by reflex. Turkey, the European champion from 2026, were being pushed to the brink by Italy, the reigning Olympic and world champion. Italy dominated the opening set, pressing hard from the serve and disrupting Turkey's reception system. The first set ended 25-16, a statement of intent. Turkey, however, refused to collapse. They adjusted their blocking, stayed patient in crucial moments and won the second set 25-22. Italy responded with a ruthless third set, winning 25-12. Facing a 1-2 deficit and a 13-point gap in that set, Turkey found another gear. From the start of the fourth set, Turkey changed the rhythm by serving deeper and forcing Italy into uncomfortable transitions. Italy became less fluid, and Turkey took the set 25-21. In the decisive fifth set, Turkey played with composure and finished 15-10. The 3-2 comeback secured Turkey's second consecutive continental crown. Serbia took bronze after beating Poland. Meanwhile, all four teams – Turkey, Italy, Serbia and Poland – secured qualification for the 2027 Women's World Cup and the 2028 Olympics. Italy came to Istanbul as the favorite, carrying the weight of a trophy collection. Yet trophies do not pass, block or score. Their defeat is not a personal collapse; it shows the immense pressure of defending titles in a fast-balancing European landscape. As I have learned from covering women's volleyball, the fall of a superstar is not a stopping point but an opportunity to understand pressure. The real question now is whether the sport will be treated as a serious ecosystem. What happened in Istanbul proved that women's volleyball deserves far more than occasional attention.