On Friday, Croatia achieved one of the most unexpected outcomes so far in Pool II of the CEV U16 Volleyball European Championship 2025. They swept previously undefeated Hungary 3-0 (25-13, 25-14, 25-20) with a dominant display at the Palace of Youth and Sports in Prishtina. Czechia remains the only team in the group with a perfect record following their convincing 3-0 victory over hosts Kosovo. In Pool I, Italy maintained a flawless 3-0 win-loss record after the Azzurrine defeated France in four sets on Friday. Later that evening, Poland mirrored this success by crushing Bulgaria in straight sets.
After a tough opening loss to Czechia, followed by a strong bounce-back win against Slovenia, Croatia approached their third match with growing confidence. This momentum was clearly visible on the court as they controlled the game from start to finish, handing Hungary their first defeat of the competition.
Hungary, who had shown considerable resilience in their five-set win over Montenegro and a clean 3-0 victory against Slovenia earlier in the week, seemed out of sync throughout the match. Croatia’s aggressive serves and smart shot selection constantly pressured the Hungarian defense, especially in the first two sets, which ended comfortably in Croatia`s favour. The third set was more competitive, with Hungary attempting a comeback, but Croatia held firm, showing better composure in key moments and closing the set 25-20 to complete the sweep. This win marks Croatia`s second consecutive victory and positions them as a serious contender for a top spot in Pool II. Hungary, meanwhile, will need to regroup after a setback that starkly contrasted with their earlier performances.
Greece continued their ascent in Pool II with a confident 3-0 victory over Montenegro (25-19, 25-20, 25-17) in their third match in Prishtina. After beginning the tournament with a loss to Türkiye, the Greek team has responded impressively. Their straight-sets win over hosts Kosovo on Day 2 was followed by another dominant showing against Montenegro, a team that had pushed Hungary to five sets in their previous outing.
In the opening set, Greece applied consistent pressure from the service line and capitalized on Montenegro’s errors. Montenegro tried to rally in the second set, displaying glimpses of the form that nearly secured them a win against Hungary, but Greece’s stable reception and clinical finishing gave them the edge. The third set saw Greece tighten their hold on the match, maintaining control with strong net play and defensive coverage. They closed it out 25-17, sealing their second straight win and maintaining their upward trajectory in the group standings. Montenegro, after an opening win over Kosovo and a close contest against Hungary, appeared to lack rhythm in this encounter and will aim to recover in their upcoming matches.
Türkiye bounced back effectively on Day 3 of Pool II action, defeating Slovenia in straight sets (25-18, 26-24, 25-16) in Prishtina. Following an intense five-set loss to Czechia in one of the tournament`s most thrilling matches so far, Türkiye responded with composure and control. From the start, they appeared focused and well-prepared, determined to return to winning ways. Slovenia, still seeking their first win after previous defeats, offered a more competitive performance in the second set, pushing their opponents hard. However, the Turkish side showcased their quality in crucial moments, narrowly taking the set 26-24 after winning the opener comfortably. In the third set, Türkiye reasserted their dominance with aggressive serving and solid defense, closing out the match 25-16 to secure their second victory in Pool II. This result strengthens Türkiye`s position in the standings, while Slovenia will need to regroup after a third consecutive loss.
Czechia continued their dominant form in Pool II with a convincing 3-0 victory over host nation Kosovo (25-11, 25-12, 25-16) in the final match of Day 3. Coming off two impressive wins – an opening sweep against Croatia and a dramatic five-set comeback over Türkiye – Czechia again demonstrated technical excellence and team cohesion. From the first serve, they controlled the pace, using strong serving and precise hitting to overwhelm the young Kosovo team. Kosovo, still seeking their first set win in the tournament, showed improvement compared to their earlier performances, particularly in the third set where they challenged Czechia with more aggressive play and better defense. However, the experience and precision of the Czech team prevailed, as they calmly secured the straight-sets victory. With this result, Czechia remains unbeaten with three wins from three matches and continues to look like one of the top contenders in Pool II. For Kosovo, the match provided another valuable learning experience as they continue their debut appearance on the continental stage.
All teams will have a rest day on Saturday before returning to action on Sunday, as the Pool II standings begin to tighten and every match gains increased significance in the battle for a semi-final spot.
Jasper Thornfield 
Finley Blackwood