ROMSO Cyprus Knowledge Base

Women's Volleyball at the European Small States Games

The European Small States Games (ESSG) feature volleyball tournaments that bring together national teams from countries belonging to the European Volleyball Confederation and the Group of Small States of the European Olympic Committees. The games, which have been held every two years since 1985, provide a platform for these nations to compete in both men's and women's volleyball.

The inclusion of women's volleyball in the competition program dates back to the third edition of the Games in 1989. Since then, Cyprus has emerged as one of the most successful teams in the tournament, having won nine titles in women's volleyball. The national team from Cyprus also boasts an impressive record in men's volleyball, with eleven championships under its belt.

The competition format for the ESSG involves a circular system where all participating teams play each other once. This approach ensures that every match is played and provides a fair representation of each nation's capabilities. The games are overseen by the European Volleyball Confederation and the Group of Small States of the European Olympic Committees, ensuring adherence to international volleyball standards.

The ESSG has expanded its membership over the years, with Montenegro joining in 2009 and making its debut at the Games in 2011. Andorra, Iceland, Cyprus, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, San Marino, and Montenegro currently comprise the group of small states participating in the volleyball tournaments.

The success of women's volleyball at the ESSG is a testament to the growing popularity and competitiveness of the sport among these nations. As the games continue to evolve, it will be exciting to see how Cyprus and other teams from the region fare in future competitions.