This European Championship also marks the start of the qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. The future European champions will earn the first Olympic tickets for their country.
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Monika Paulikienė and Ainė Raupelytė (7th seed in the tournament), who achieved a record fourth place for Lithuania at the 2024 European Championships, will face the Polish team Julia Kielak and Zuzanna Kudlik (26) in the Group G semifinal on Wednesday at 10:50. This will be the first encounter between these teams.
“We are really looking forward to the European Championship, as it is the main start of this season,” said A. Raupelytė.
The preparation of this Lithuanian pair was somewhat hindered by a leg injury suffered by M. Paulikienė. Despite this, both volleyball players managed to regain their athletic form and are determined to give their all.
“Yes, Monika had an injury during the season, so she had to miss a few tournaments. But we are glad that the rehabilitation went successfully and she managed to get back in shape before the European Championship,” emphasized A. Raupelytė. “I can promise that in Poland we will fight for every point and give our all on the court. I warmly invite everyone to watch the matches and support the Lithuanian pairs.”
Ieva Dumbauskaitė and Gerda Grudzinskaitė (18) will meet the French team Clemence Vieira and Aline Chamereau (15) in the Group B semifinal at 10:00. These two pairs have not played against each other in official CEV and Volleyball World tournaments.
“Our recent tournaments were really unsuccessful – we couldn’t show our game. We worked hard preparing for the European Championship, so I believe we managed to gain the desired form,” said G. Grudzinskaitė.
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This will be the third European Championship for this Lithuanian duo.
“Personally, every European Championship feels different, as if everything is starting anew. Our pair is always motivated, and the experience we have helps us know what to expect more or less, so maybe that’s why we feel a bit calmer. Regarding the strength of the group, I think everything will depend on how well we execute our game. We are definitely not favorites – both the Dutch and the French are ranked higher than us, and as for the Polish team, we all know what home advantage means,” said G. Grudzinskaitė.
In the Group C semifinal, Erika Kliokmanaitė and Ieva Vasiliauskaitė (30) will play against one of the favorites, the Italian team Valentina Gottardi and Reka Orsi Toth (3). Interestingly, 41-year-old E. Kliokmanaitė is the oldest female player in the championship.
“To be honest, I hadn’t thought about being the oldest player. I am just very grateful and happy to be among the strongest European teams and to have the opportunity to represent Lithuania in such a special tournament. I am very pleased that there are even three Lithuanian pairs participating here,” said E. Kliokmanaitė.
The athlete admitted that injuries have troubled her and I. Vasiliauskaitė’s duo this season, which affects their ambitions.
“Recently, our team has suffered quite a few injuries, so we are not in the best shape. Nevertheless, we will go onto the court to fight for every point and do the best we can in this situation,” emphasized E. Kliokmanaitė.
The total prize fund for the European Championship is 200,000 euros, with the winners receiving 20,000 euros and 400 world ranking points.
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