Latvia produced the biggest shock of the 2026 CEV European Championships so far, defeating Turkey 3-1 (25-22, 22-25, 25-20, 25-19) in a fiercely contested pool-stage match on Wednesday night. The result throws the group wide open and leaves Turkey, one of the tournament’s traditional powerhouses, facing an unexpected battle to reach the knockout rounds.

Played in front of a passionate crowd in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, the match was billed as a mismatch on paper. Turkey arrived with a roster packed with stars from Italy’s SuperLega and Poland’s PlusLiga, while Latvia had to navigate a tough qualification path just to reach the main event. But volleyball is decided between the lines, and Latvia delivered a performance full of discipline, aggression, and composure under pressure.

Match Overview

Turkey entered the contest as clear favorites, boasting a powerful attack led by opposite hitter Adis Lagumdzija and a deep bench of experienced internationals. Latvia, ranked lower in the CEV standings, were expected to struggle against Turkey’s blocking and serving. Instead, the underdogs flipped the script with a fearless serving strategy and a defensive effort that repeatedly frustrated Turkey’s star attackers.

The match lasted one hour and 52 minutes, with Latvia winning three of the four sets. The victory gives Latvia a crucial three points in the pool and a major confidence boost, while Turkey must now regroup quickly with tougher fixtures ahead.

Key Moments

• First set – Latvia 25-22: Latvia stunned Turkey early with aggressive jump serving that disrupted the home side’s reception. Hermans Egleskalns set the tone with five kills, and a late block on Lagumdzija sealed the opening set.
• Second set – Turkey 25-22: Turkey responded like a wounded giant. Lagumdzija found his rhythm from the right side, and captain Arslan Ekşi began varying the attack with quick sets to the middle. Turkey’s block tightened, and they leveled the match.
• Third set – Latvia 25-20: The turning point came midway through the third. With the score tied at 14-14, Latvia went on a 6-1 run sparked by two aces from outside hitter Kristaps Platačs. Turkey’s passing broke down, and Latvia’s libero, Renārs Pauls Jansons, produced a series of spectacular digs that kept rallies alive.
• Fourth set – Latvia 25-19: Latvia never let up. They raced to an 8-4 lead and never surrendered it. Turkey made uncharacteristic errors at the net, and Latvia’s block—led by middle blocker Atvars Ozoliņš—shut down Turkey’s outside hitters. A final ace from Egleskalns ended the match and sparked wild celebrations.

Tactical Story

Latvia’s game plan was clear from the first serve: apply pressure with the serve and trust their defense. They targeted Turkey’s passers with deep, flat serves, forcing Turkey into predictable attacking patterns. That allowed Latvia’s block to set up early and their backcourt to read the play. Latvia finished with 9 service aces compared to Turkey’s 4, and they also held a 10-7 advantage in blocks.

Turkey, meanwhile, struggled with consistency. Their reception was shaky, which limited the effectiveness of their middle attack. When they did manage to side-out, they often did so through individual brilliance rather than system play. Head coach Alberto Giuliani tried multiple substitutions, including bringing in young outside hitter Burutay Subaşı, but Latvia’s momentum proved unstoppable.

Standout Players

Hermans Egleskalns was the undisputed star of the night. The Latvian opposite hitter scored a match-high 24 points, including 19 kills, 4 aces, and 1 block. He was especially lethal in the clutch, scoring five of Latvia’s final eight points in the fourth set. Setter Kristaps Platačs orchestrated the offense with 42 assists and added 6 points of his own.

For Turkey, Adis Lagumdzija fought valiantly with 20 points, but he was forced into difficult swings by Latvia’s net defense. Middle blocker Mert Matić contributed 8 points, while captain Arslan Ekşi finished with 3 points and 38 assists. Turkey’s error count—24 unforced errors—told the story of a team that never found its rhythm.

Standings and What’s Next

The win lifts Latvia to a 1-0 record in Pool B, while Turkey drops to 0-1. With only the top four teams from each pool advancing to the knockout phase, Turkey now faces must-win matches against the pool’s other contenders. Latvia, on the other hand, have given themselves a real chance to reach the Round of 16 for the first time in over a decade.

Turkey will need to regroup quickly. Their next match comes against a dangerous opponent, and anything less than a victory could leave them in se