Israel Men's Volleyball Team Falls to Netherlands in European League Final Four

The Israeli men's volleyball team concluded their historic European League campaign with a second loss to the Netherlands in the Final Four stage on June 28, 2026. Coached by Itamar Stein, the team was defeated 3-1 in the second match against the strong Dutch squad, ending their run in the tournament. Despite the elimination, the Israeli delegation celebrated a remarkable season that included a flawless group stage with six wins and no losses, marking their first-ever advancement to the decisive rounds of the competition.

The team highlighted the significance of this achievement as a major professional leap forward, reflecting years of progress against top European opponents. Players faced challenges such as a heavy match schedule, extended stays abroad, and consecutive away games in the Netherlands due to security concerns in Israel. Nevertheless, they maintained a high level of play and competed honorably against one of the tournament's strongest teams.

Coach Itamar Stein expressed pride in the team's performance, stating, "In one word, pride. We achieved a great feat by reaching the Final Four and showed strong play in both away matches against the powerful Dutch team. I have great faith in this team and am confident we will eventually defeat teams of this caliber." Following the campaign, the players will take a short break before preparing for future challenges, with the main goal being continued progress and further success on the European stage.