Czechia is crowned European Under-22 men’s volleyball champion after defeating Poland 3-1 in the final of EuroVolley U22 Men’s 2026, while Israel secured the first age-group European Championship medal in the country’s history.
Czechia recovered from a first-set loss to beat Poland 25-27, 27-25, 25-20, 25-13 in the gold-medal match. Poland’s Wojciech Gajek finished as the match’s top scorer with 25 points, while Czechia’s Matej Pastrnak added 24.
Head coach Michal Nekola praised his side’s resilience after the final.
“This is a team that showed once again that it never gives up,” Nekola said. “The reward is that they are champions of Europe.”
Poland coach Piotr Graban said his team struggled to reproduce the level shown in its semifinal victory over France, but praised the players for securing silver after a demanding week.
In the bronze-medal match, Israel delivered the tournament’s biggest historic breakthrough by beating defending champions France 3-0. Israel won 25-21, 25-23, 25-18 to secure its first medal at any European age-group championship.
Mark Rura led Israel with 21 points, while Shay Mayo Liberman contributed 14. France’s Noa Duflos-Rossi scored 13 points in defeat.
Israel head coach Noam Katz said the result was a major moment for the sport in his country.
“This is the first medal in Israel’s history,” Katz said. “To finish ahead of France, Italy and Bulgaria is an incredible feeling.”
The closing ceremony also recognised the tournament’s leading individual performers. Czechia’s Vaclav Seidl was named Most Valuable Player, while Portugal’s João Salgueiro earned the Best Libero award.
Results
- Final: Czechia beat Poland 3-1 (25-27, 27-25, 25-20, 25-13)
- Bronze-medal match: Israel beat France 3-0 (25-21, 25-23, 25-18)
- MVP: Vaclav Seidl, Czechia
- Best Setter: Blazej Bien, Poland
- Best Outside Spikers: Shay Mayo Liberman, Israel; Matej Pastrnak, Czechia
- Best Middle Blockers: Antonin Klimes, Czechia; Stepan Svoboda, Czechia
- Best Libero: João Salgueiro, Portugal
- Best Opposite: Wojciech Gajek, Poland