The Netherlands Women’s national volleyball team opened their European Championships campaign with a hard-fought five-set victory over Slovenia on 31 August 2026, winning 3-2 in a match that had all the drama of a knockout clash. In a contest that swung back and forth for over two hours, the Dutch side showed the resilience of a medal contender, while Slovenia proved once again that they are no longer the underdogs of European volleyball.

Match Overview: A Five-Set Classic

From the first whistle, both teams traded powerful spikes and well-organised blocks. The Netherlands took the opening set with composure, but Slovenia responded with a disciplined defensive display to level the match. The third set became the turning point of the evening, with Slovenia clawing back from a late deficit to take a 2-1 lead and push the Netherlands to the brink. However, the Dutch side dug deep in the fourth set, lifted by a raucous crowd, before sprinting through the deciding set to seal the victory.

The final stat line highlighted how tight the encounter was: Netherlands edged the attacking battle by just two kills, while Slovenia actually recorded more blocks. The difference came at the service line, where the Dutch aces and tough serves repeatedly broke Slovenia’s reception.

Key Moments and Set Breakdown

• Set 1 (25-23): The Netherlands started strong, using a 6-0 run in the middle of the set to open up a lead. Slovenia fought back to tie at 23-23, but a massive kill from outside hitter Nika Daalderop and a service ace sealed the opener.
• Set 2 (23-25): Slovenia’s middles came alive, with Ana Krajnc scoring off quick sets from Eva Mori. The Dutch side struggled to cope with the pace and made unforced errors at crucial moments.
• Set 3 (25-27): A marathon set that saw three set points saved by each team. Slovenia’s wing spiker Iza Mlakar was unstoppable, finishing with 29 kills overall, and her cross-court winner gave Slovenia the 2-1 lead.
• Set 4 (25-21): Netherlands head coach Jamie Morrison shifted to a faster offense, and the Dutch blockers finally found their rhythm. Three consecutive blocks on Mlakar swung momentum completely.
• Set 5 (15-10): The Netherlands raced to a 5-1 lead behind the serving of Britt Bongaerts. Slovenia briefly cut the gap to two, but a decisive kill from Eline Timmerman and a final block on Mlakar closed out the match.

Tactical Story: Serving and Blocking Decide It

The Netherlands entered the match knowing that Slovenia’s high-tempo offense, orchestrated by setter Eva Mori, would be a major threat. The Dutch response came through aggressive serves aimed at Slovenia’s primary passers. This tactical choice disrupted Slovenia’s rhythm in the fourth and fifth sets. Meanwhile, the Netherlands’ block improved significantly as the match progressed, finishing with 12 stuffs compared to Slovenia’s 10. The Dutch also managed 10 aces, with Daalderop contributing three.

Slovenia, for their part, relied heavily on Mlakar, who carried the scoring burden with 31 points. However, the lack of secondary hitters in the decisive moments proved costly. Slovenia’s coach Alessandro Chiappini will look for more balance in attack as the tournament progresses.

Standout Players

Nika Daalderop (Netherlands): The Dutch captain led by example with 24 points, including three aces and a crucial kill in set five. Her leadership during the mid-match dip kept the team calm.

Iza Mlakar (Slovenia): A superb individual performance from the Slovenian opposite hitter, who smashed 31 points with a success rate of 46%. She was the main reason Slovenia pushed the Dutch so close.

Eline Timmerman (Netherlands): The young middle blocker delivered at both ends, scoring 11 points with three kills and four blocks. Her block on Mlakar in the final rally sealed the deal.

European Championships Impact

With this result, the Netherlands take a huge step towards qualification for the knockout rounds from their group, securing two crucial points. Slovenia, despite the defeat, earned a point for the tiebreak, which could prove vital in the race for the round of 16 as the best third-placed teams. The match also served as a statement from both sides: the Netherlands remain one of the teams to beat in EuroVolley Women, while Slovenia showed they can compete with the continent’s elite.

Next up for the Netherlands is a fixture against the host nation, while Slovenia will face another group opponent in what is quickly becoming a must-win encounter. If this opener is any indication, the European Championships Women’s title race will be wide open, with both teams capable of causing surprises.