Day 3 brings eight more matches across all four pools, but this time the schedule feels heavier at the top: Belgium and Germany try to settle down after nervous starts, Pool B offers two high-stakes clashes, Slovenia test their upset momentum against Türkiye, and hosts Czechia face Serbia in what could decide first place.
DAY 3 PREVIEW | 23 August 2026 | All match times below are local to the host city
Women’s EuroVolley 2026 moves into one of its busiest early days with four separate mini-stories running at once. Some teams need to steady themselves after uncomfortable starts, some are chasing a first win, and some already look as if they are entering matches that can shape the top of the pool.
The opening two days already gave us a straight-set upset from Slovenia over Germany, a difficult five-set escape for Belgium, another five-set test for the Netherlands, and a two-win start for Italy, Sweden and Czechia. Day 3 now asks a more demanding question: which of those early impressions were real, and which were only first-round noise?
For the broader tournament picture, see our Women’s EuroVolley 2026 tournament preview, our Format & Rules guide, and the Day 2 results roundup.
Day 3 Schedule — 23 August 2026
| Local time | Host city | Match | Pool |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15:00 | Gothenburg | France vs Croatia | Pool D |
| 15:30 | Baku | Portugal vs Belgium | Pool C |
| 16:00 | Istanbul | Latvia vs Germany | Pool A |
| 16:00 | Brno | Greece vs Bulgaria | Pool B |
| 18:00 | Gothenburg | Sweden vs Italy | Pool D |
| 18:30 | Baku | Spain vs Azerbaijan | Pool C |
| 19:00 | Istanbul | Slovenia vs Türkiye | Pool A |
| 19:00 | Brno | Czechia vs Serbia | Pool B |
What makes Day 3 stand out
There is more tension on this card than on Day 1, and more immediate table impact than on Day 2. Belgium won their opener only after falling 1–2 behind against Spain; Germany start the day after being swept by Slovenia; Greece and Bulgaria both already own a win over Ukraine; and Czechia versus Serbia may already function like a fight for the top seed in Pool B.
In Pool D, Sweden and Italy have both opened 2–0, which gives their head-to-head a first-place feel even though there is still volleyball left in the group. And in Pool A, Slovenia’s reward for beating Germany is a much tougher follow-up against hosts Türkiye.
Portugal vs Belgium — The Favorite Needs a Cleaner Performance
Portugal entered the tournament as the clearest outsider in Pool C, but Belgium did little in their opener to suggest that anything can be taken for granted. The Belgians had to recover from 1–2 down against Spain before eventually winning in five sets.
That comeback still matters positively — it showed Belgium can respond under pressure — but it also means this second match carries a small demand for reassurance. A favorite that survives one scare is allowed; a favorite that needs another rescue starts inviting larger questions.
Portugal are still underdogs, yet they benefit from seeing Belgium’s vulnerability on film. If the match stays close into the middle of the second set, the pressure may shift quickly back onto the higher-ranked side.
Latvia vs Germany — Somebody Leaves with a First Win
Both teams begin this match without a victory, but the mood around them is very different. Latvia were expected to struggle in Pool A and lost their opener to Türkiye. Germany, by contrast, were supposed to start much higher and instead were swept by Slovenia.
That is why this match feels more important for Germany than it does for Latvia. On paper, the Germans should be the more likely winners, especially because they showed competitive stretches in every set against Slovenia. But they also failed to close three separate sets when the match tightened, and that leaves a confidence question hanging over Day 3.
If Germany win, they stabilize the group and reset their campaign. If they stumble again, Pool A suddenly becomes very uncomfortable.
France vs Croatia — A Chance for Real Resistance in Pool D
France looked strong in their opening 3–0 win over Slovakia, and their current profile remains that of a team that should advance comfortably from Pool D. Croatia, however, were more competitive against Italy than the straight-set score may suggest.
After a difficult opening set against the world No. 1 team, Croatia produced two more fighting sets and showed enough to believe this match can become more than a routine French win. France are still deserved favorites, but Croatia may be able to create a more physical, more awkward contest than the rankings alone suggest.
If France win cleanly, they strengthen their claim to being the clear No. 2 team in the group behind Italy. If Croatia turn it into a battle, the race underneath the top two becomes more interesting.
Greece vs Bulgaria — A Possible Battle for Third Place
This looks like one of the most important matches of the day from a standings perspective. Both teams already beat Ukraine: Bulgaria did it in straight sets on Day 1, while Greece survived a dramatic five-set match on Day 2.
That gives this meeting a very practical significance. Serbia and Czechia still look like the strongest teams in Pool B, so Greece against Bulgaria may end up playing a major role in the fight for third place — and perhaps even in determining who gets a more favorable Round of 16 path.
The contrast is interesting too. Bulgaria made the cleaner start to the tournament, but Greece now carry the confidence of coming through a high-pressure five-setter. This could easily become one of the most competitive matches of the day.
Spain vs Azerbaijan — One of the Day’s True Toss-Ups
Few matches on Day 3 feel as balanced as Spain against Azerbaijan. Spain pushed Belgium all the way and were a set away from winning their opener. Azerbaijan already have a win and also bring home support in Baku.
That combination makes this one especially appealing. Spain probably leave their first match disappointed but encouraged; Azerbaijan come in with points on the board and the emotional lift of a home result. It is not hard to see this turning into a long, momentum-driven match.
If Azerbaijan win again, they move into a very strong early position in Pool C. If Spain respond to their opening loss, the group becomes even more crowded behind the Netherlands.
Slovenia vs Türkiye — Can the Dark Horse Do It Twice?
Slovenia did not just beat Germany on Day 2 — they won 3–0 and took every important endgame. That result immediately gave substance to their pre-tournament dark-horse label.
The follow-up, though, is a completely different level of difficulty. Türkiye are the defending European champions, the 2026 VNL winners and one of the tournament’s main title favorites. They also play at home in Istanbul.
That does not mean Slovenia are without hope. Their ability to stay calm late in sets against Germany was impressive, and if they keep the match physically balanced they can at least make Türkiye work. Still, this is the day when the difference between upsetting a top-12 team and challenging a true championship favorite becomes visible.
Sweden vs Italy — Leaders’ Clash, but a Clear Favorite Still Exists
On paper, this is a meeting of the two leaders in Pool D. In reality, Italy remain the clear favorite. The Azzurre are world No. 1, reigning Olympic champions and reigning world champions, and they have started the tournament with two straight-set wins.
Sweden deserve respect here. They are 2–0, they are playing at home, and they continue to ride the momentum of their excellent European League summer. But their five-set wobble against Slovakia also exposed the kind of instability that Italy are built to punish.
For Sweden, taking a set would already feel significant. For Italy, the expectation is not simply to win but to confirm that even the most interesting dark horse in the group remains one step below the real contender tier.
Czechia vs Serbia — A Match That Could Decide First Place in Pool B
This is probably the headline match of Day 3. Czechia are 2–0 on home court after beating Greece and Austria, while Serbia opened their campaign with a straight-set win over Austria and still carry the deepest championship pedigree in the group.
The stakes are obvious. If Czechia win, the hosts would move to 3–0 and take a major step toward first place. If Serbia win, the pool hierarchy begins to align more closely with the pre-tournament expectation.
The matchup is also interesting stylistically. Czechia have looked organized and confident in Brno, but Serbia offer a very different test from Greece or Austria — more physical quality, more elite experience, and a much greater ability to manage a match when the pressure rises.
It may not formally decide the group, but it is hard to avoid the feeling that this is where the race for the top spot truly begins.
Day 3 matches to watch
| Angle | Match | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Headline match | Czechia vs Serbia | Potential fight for first place in Pool B |
| Most balanced matchup | Spain vs Azerbaijan | Home support meets an in-form underdog |
| Standings pressure match | Greece vs Bulgaria | Both already own a win over Ukraine |
| Favorite under pressure | Portugal vs Belgium | Belgium need a calmer performance |
| First-win battle | Latvia vs Germany | Germany must reset after the Slovenia loss |
| Dark horse test | Slovenia vs Türkiye | Can Slovenia follow their upset with another challenge? |
| Pool D leader clash | Sweden vs Italy | Two unbeaten teams, but Italy remain the benchmark |
What Day 3 could change
Pool B could tighten or separate sharply. A Czechia win over Serbia would turn the hosts into a serious first-place favorite, while a Bulgaria win over Greece would also redraw the middle of the table.
Pool C may reveal whether Belgium’s opening struggle was only a one-match wobble or a warning sign. At the same time, Spain and Azerbaijan have the chance to show whether the group will remain wider open than expected.
Pool A offers a different kind of question. Germany need points, but the stronger headline is Slovenia against Türkiye. If Slovenia stay competitive again, their status changes from interesting outsider to genuine bracket disruptor.
And in Gothenburg, Sweden have the chance to measure themselves directly against the team everyone expects to beat. Sometimes a difficult loss can still tell us something valuable.
Final Outlook
Day 3 looks richer than a standard middle-of-the-group-stage schedule. There are likely favorites — Belgium, Germany, France, Türkiye and Italy — but several of them carry questions into the day rather than total control.
The most open matches appear to be Greece versus Bulgaria, Spain versus Azerbaijan, and Czechia versus Serbia. The first may help shape the middle of Pool B, the second could further complicate Pool C, and the third has the strongest chance to influence an eventual group winner.
If one match best captures the tone of the day, it is Czechia versus Serbia: a host team in rhythm, a proven power stepping into its first real test, and a sense that the standings may start to mean more by Sunday night.
Editorial Note
This article is a pre-match snapshot for 23 August 2026. Match times are official local times from CEV. Context on earlier results reflects the standings and match outcomes available after the completion of Day 2.
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