Belgium Women made a powerful statement at the European Championships Women on 23 August 2026, sweeping Portugal Women in straight sets (0-3) to open their campaign with a commanding victory. The match, played at a packed arena in front of an expectant crowd, saw the Belgian side take control from the first whistle and never look back, underlining their credentials as one of the tournament's most dangerous outfits.

Match Overview

Belgium entered the contest as clear favourites, and they lived up to that billing with a disciplined, aggressive performance. Portugal, to their credit, fought hard in every set and showed moments of real promise, but the Belgian block and serving pressure proved too consistent to handle. The final set scores – 25-18, 25-21, 25-15 – reflected a match that was competitive in stretches but ultimately controlled by the higher-ranked side.

The opening set set the tone: Belgium raced to an early lead behind their powerful outside hitters, while Portugal struggled to find rhythm against a well-organised defence. The second set was the tightest of the afternoon, with Portugal pushing all the way to 21-21 before a clutch serving run from Belgium broke the deadlock. By the third, Belgium's confidence was flowing, and they raced away to seal the sweep in efficient fashion.

How Belgium Controlled the Net

Belgium's superiority was most evident at the net, where their blockers repeatedly denied Portugal's primary attackers. The team piled up an impressive block count and consistently forced Portugal into difficult hitting positions. On the offensive side, Belgium spread the ball well, using both the middle and the pins to keep the Portuguese defence guessing.

• Set 1: Belgium 25-18 Portugal
• Set 2: Belgium 25-21 Portugal
• Set 3: Belgium 25-15 Portugal

Key Players

Belgium's attacking output was led by their star outside hitter, who finished with a match-high tally and proved nearly unstoppable from the left side. The middle blockers also chipped in with crucial points in transition, while the Belgian libero anchored the backcourt with a series of key digs in the second set when Portugal threatened to level the match.

For Portugal, the captain provided the main offensive threat and showed grit in the second set, but lacked sufficient support from the rest of the rotation. The Portuguese passing unit came under heavy pressure from Belgian serves, making it difficult to run a fast, varied offence.

What It Means for the Group

This result gives Belgium a perfect start to their European Championships Women campaign and a significant boost in the group standings, with two points and strong set ratio. Portugal, meanwhile, will need to regroup quickly and target their next fixtures to keep their knockout-stage hopes alive. For Belgium, the sweep sends a message to the rest of the competition: they are ready for a deep run in this tournament.