On 6 September 2026 at Sinan Erdem Sports Hall in Istanbul, Türkiye’s women’s national volleyball team defeated Italy 3–2 and won the CEV European Championship for the second time in a row. The side, known as the Sultans of the Net, first lifted the continental trophy in 2023 against Serbia; this time they did so on home soil against the Olympic and world champions.
Set scores: 16–25, 25–22, 12–25, 25–21, 15–10. The match lasted more than two hours. Italy took the first and third sets; Türkiye forced a fifth set and closed it 15–10. More than 16,000 spectators filled the arena, while public screenings were held across the country.
The result also secured Türkiye the first European women’s volleyball quota for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
How the title was won
Türkiye finished second in its pool after a five-set loss to Poland. In the knock-out rounds the team beat Azerbaijan 3–0, Germany 3–1 and Serbia 3–0 in the semi-final. The championship record was eight wins and one defeat.
Head coach Daniele Santarelli — Italian by nationality — described the work as fully committed to Türkiye. Melissa Vargas was named MVP, repeating her award from 2023. Derya Cebecioğlu, Zehra Güneş and Gizem Örge were selected for the tournament Dream Team.
2026 has been an exceptional year for Turkish women’s volleyball: the team also won the Volleyball Nations League (3–1 against Brazil in Macao) and the Mediterranean Games.
RT-Union congratulations
The Russian-Turkish law firm RT-Union congratulates Türkiye’s women’s national volleyball team, the coaching staff and all supporters on winning the 2026 European Championship.
The title is the result of discipline, teamwork and character. We are proud to work in a country that can host major international events and that stands firmly behind women’s sport at the highest level.
We congratulate the Sultans of the Net on defending the crown and on qualifying for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
