EuroVolley: Serbia takes on favored Slovenia in the round of 16 on Monday in Turin

Serbia’s men’s national volleyball team will face Slovenia on Monday, September 21, at 21:00 in Turin, in the round of 16 of the 2026 European Championship. Serbia secured qualification as third in its group after a difficult journey: it beat Estonia 3:1, lost 0:3 to Finland, came back 3:2 against the Netherlands after trailing 0:2, came back 3:2 against Denmark also from 0:2 down, and lost 0:3 to Belgium in the last group game. Coach George Krecu rested several key players in the games against Denmark and Belgium.

Bookmakers see Serbia as the underdog in this clash. Slovenia has won medals at the last three European Championships and took the bronze medal in the Nations League this year. The statistics are merciless: the Slovenians have recorded 7 consecutive wins against Serbia in official matches, while the Serbs’ last victory dates back to 2021. The winner of this match will face in the quarterfinals the winner of the Belgium–Czechia tie.

Player Dražen Luburić said everyone had the chance to play during the group stage and the team caught its rhythm, even though some minor injuries forced rests. According to him, the main objective now is the round of 16; he added that Slovenia’s Tine Urnaut could be injured, while Žorko Možić is expected to be the Slovenians’ key player. Libero Stefan Negić stressed that from the knockout stage the team must be more precise in every element, right from the start.

Source: Nova.rs