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Germany continued their flawless run in the CEV Enel EuroVolley 2026 Men, securing a second consecutive victory with a straight-sets win over Latvia. Meanwhile, hosts Romania bounced back from their opening loss to claim their first three points in Pool D with a hard-fought 3-1 triumph against Switzerland.
Germany Maintains Dominance in Pool D
The German men’s national team solidified their perfect start in Cluj-Napoca, defeating Latvia 3-0. While the scoreline suggests a comfortable win, Latvia put up a strong fight, particularly in the first two sets, keeping the matches tight until the crucial final points.
Latvia, coming off a strong performance against Romania, pushed Germany deep into the opening sets. Their tenacious defense and extended rallies tested the German squad. However, Germany consistently found an extra gear when it mattered most, clinching the vital points to pull away.
“In the first two sets it was always tight, up to around 15-all, and then in the crunch time we managed to get some points ahead,” explained Germany’s Erik Röhrs. “When the match came to the important moments, we showed that we were stronger.”
Röhrs also acknowledged Latvia’s effort, stating, “They fought a lot, especially in defence. They had a lot of good touches and also some good kill blocks. You cannot underestimate any opponent. Congratulations to Latvia because they made life really difficult for us today.”
After two competitive sets, Latvia struggled to maintain their intensity in the third. Germany seized control earlier, closing out the match 25-16 and securing another three points. For Latvia, the match served as a stark reminder of the fine margins at the highest level of European volleyball.
Latvian setter Edvīns Skrūders reflected on the difference, noting, “We played really well until a certain point in the first two sets. It was quite a close game, but we made a few mistakes that at this level you cannot make. If you make those mistakes, these teams punish you for them.” He added, “I am pretty happy with the level we showed in the first two sets. It was just a few mistakes here and there, and that’s it.”
Romania Secures Crucial Home Victory
Hosts Romania delivered a much-needed performance for their home crowd, defeating Switzerland 3-1 to register their first win and crucial points in Pool D. The match at BT Arena saw Romania take a commanding 2-0 lead, showcasing resilience under pressure.
Switzerland, however, refused to back down. They mounted a significant comeback in the third set, dominating Romania 25-13 and forcing a decisive fourth set. This resurgence highlighted Switzerland’s fighting spirit and their determination to stay in contention.
Romania’s ability to regroup after the third-set lapse was a key factor. Supported by a passionate home audience, the Romanian team rediscovered their form. The fourth set remained a tense affair, but Romania managed to maintain control, ultimately closing it out 25-20 to secure the victory.
Head coach Sergiu Stancu emphasized the importance of his team’s response. “After we played the first two sets well, we had a kind of blackout in the third,” Stancu admitted. “It was very important that we managed to come back into the game.”
Stancu also expressed gratitude to the fans, stating, “I want to thank these amazing supporters because you could really feel that they helped us in that difficult moment. A big part of this victory is thanks to them.” The win was a significant morale boost following their opening 3-1 defeat to Latvia.
“We were not so happy with what happened in that game,” Stancu confessed. “Now we are happy again because we managed to produce a good performance.” For Switzerland, the early stages of the match proved to be their undoing, with Romania’s service pressure proving difficult to handle.
This round of matches in Pool D saw Germany continue their strong start, while Romania successfully got their campaign back on track. Both teams will look to build on these results as the tournament progresses.
Source: CEV
