National sports teams face opening defeats in volleyball and football qualifiers

The Cyprus women's national volleyball team suffered a 3-2 set defeat against Austria in their debut match of the European U20 Championship qualifiers. After losing the first set 25-18, Cyprus responded in the second set to level the match 1-1, aided by a decisive spike from Sofia Georgiou. However, Austria regained momentum in the third set.

In football, the Greece boys' national team lost 2-0 to Bosnia and Herzegovina in their Euro 2027 qualifying premiere held in Mladost. Despite early pressure from the Greek side, Bosnia scored in the 65th minute through Leto and secured the victory with an 88th-minute goal by Mehic. Greece is scheduled to face Gibraltar and Iceland in upcoming matches.