Romania was once a powerhouse in men’s volleyball.
The team captured a silver medal at the 1956 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship, followed by bronze finishes in 1960 and 1962, and another silver in 1966. Their golden generation also made its mark on the Olympic stage, earning bronze in Moscow in 1980.
But that era of dominance eventually faded.
Romania missed the World Championship from 1986 until 2022, returning in 2025 after a 43-year absence—a comeback that ended in disappointment with a 0-3 record in Pool B.
Still, the tournament offered a glimmer of hope. Romania’s participation signaled a commitment to rebuilding and reclaiming a place among volleyball’s elite.
(C) Volleyball World
“Step by step, we need to become that Romania team again,” said top spiker Bela Bartha.
“Four years ago, we were winning in the Silver League. Three years ago, we played in the qualifiers for the European Games. And today, we’re playing our third game back in the World Championship.”
For Bartha and his teammates, the road to the top will be long, but their World Championship stint offered valuable lessons for rebuilding their legacy.
“Unfortunately, we lost all the games, but I’m proud of the team and what we accomplished. These three matches were very tough, but they are a good lesson for us—to gain experience and learn how to play better in future tournaments,” said the 24-year-old middle blocker.
Looking ahead, Romania’s focus turns to the 2026 Men’s European Volleyball Championship on home soil—a crucial stage in their journey back to Europe’s top tier.
“Then we will play the European Championship at home in Romania, and we need to take it step by step. I’m confident we will play strong games and come back as one of the top teams,” Bartha said.
