Finland had also not beaten Italy in a competitive volleyball game for 48 years

Finland Stun Reigning World Champions Italy to Reach EuroVolley Semi-Finals

Finland produced one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 Men’s European Volleyball Championship on Wednesday night, defeating reigning world champions Italy 3-2 in a dramatic quarter-final in Turin to reach the semi-finals.

Playing in front of 8,260 spectators at the PalaVela, Finland recovered after losing the opening set and eventually sealed a thrilling five-set victory, winning 21-25, 28-26, 25-16, 20-25, 15-13.

The result was particularly significant given Italy’s status as the reigning world champions and one of the leading teams in the tournament. Italy also entered the match with home-court support in Turin, while Finland had not defeated Italy in a competitive senior men’s match for 48 years.

Finland fight back after losing the first set

Italy started strongly and took the first set 25-21, putting the home crowd behind the hosts. Finland, however, responded immediately.

The second set became a crucial turning point. Finland held its nerve in a tight battle that went beyond the normal 25-point mark, eventually taking it 28-26 to level the match.

The Finnish side then produced its strongest stretch of the night in the third set, controlling the game and winning 25-16 to move within one set of an extraordinary victory.

Italy refused to give up. The hosts regained their composure in the fourth set and won 25-20, forcing the quarter-final into a deciding fifth set.

Dramatic finish in the deciding set

The final set was another closely fought contest. With the semi-final place on the line, Finland eventually prevailed 15-13, completing a remarkable 3-2 comeback and ending Italy’s European Championship campaign.

Finland’s victory was led by Joonas Jokela, who finished as the match’s top scorer with 28 points, including 27 winning spikes. Luka Marttila added 22 points, while Italy’s Yuri Romanò was the hosts’ leading scorer with 20.

A historic achievement for Finland

The victory takes Finland into the EuroVolley Final Four for only the second time in its history. The previous occasion was in 2007, when Finland finished fourth.

Finland’s route to the semi-finals has already included two five-set victories in the knockout stage. They defeated Greece 3-2 in the round of 16 before producing another five-set comeback against Italy.

The achievement also has wider significance for Finnish volleyball. By reaching the semi-finals, Finland has secured qualification for the 2027 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Cup, joining France and Slovenia as the European teams earning qualification through EuroVolley. Poland, the World Cup hosts, are already qualified.

France await in the semi-finals

Finland’s historic run will continue on Friday, September 25, when they face France in the semi-finals at the Unipol Forum in Milan.

France, two-time Olympic champions, secured their place in the Final Four after defeating Romania in the quarter-finals.

The other semi-final will feature Poland and Slovenia. Slovenia reached the last four by defeating Belgium 3-1 in Turin and will make its fourth consecutive EuroVolley semi-final appearance.

For Finland, however, the immediate focus is on a remarkable opportunity. After overcoming Greece and then eliminating the reigning world champions on Italian soil, the Finnish team is now just one victory away from reaching the European Championship final for the first time.

Finland 3-2 Italy

21-25, 28-26, 25-16, 20-25, 15-13

Venue: PalaVela, Turin

Attendance: 8,260

Top scorers: Joonas Jokela 28, Luka Marttila 22, Yuri Romanò 20