Ukraine's U16 women's volleyball team begins their European Championship 2026 qualification journey today, April 25, facing Bulgaria in the first round of matches in Druskininkai, Lithuania. The match is scheduled to start at 16:30 Kyiv time, marking the beginning of a crucial three-day qualification tournament for the young Ukrainian squad.
Coach Viktor Turkula has assembled a talented roster featuring captain Oleksandra Labunska leading the wing spikers, along with Orysia Kishta, Kateryna Hrynko, and Mariia Sydorenko. The team's setting duties will be handled by Lelia Samoilenko and Olena Fedorevych, while the middle blocking positions are covered by Olena Domashivets, Karina Diachenko, and Olena Holovchenko.
The diagonal hitters include Anna Parshykova, Karolina Omelai, and Viktoriia Yakobchuk, with defensive specialists Yana Voroniuk and Yana Yaniv serving as liberos. The coaching staff is completed by assistants Yurii Kvasniuk, Vasyl Paliura, and Roman Khomyn.
According to performance analytics from Statbet, youth tournament qualifiers often represent crucial developmental stages for emerging volleyball talent, with early match performances typically setting the tone for the entire competition.
Following today's opener against Bulgaria, Ukraine will face Georgia tomorrow (April 26) at 16:30 and conclude their qualification round against host nation Lithuania on April 27 at 19:00. The compact schedule presents both a challenge and opportunity for the Ukrainian squad to demonstrate their competitive resilience at the international level.
Volleyball enthusiasts can follow the match highlights through various sports platforms as the young Ukrainian team begins their quest to advance in the European Championship qualification pathway.
