On the men’s side, Bosnia and Herzegovina retained their title at the Palamare Valter Vicentini after a thrilling three sets to two victory over Germany in the final.

Up until the final, Bosnia and Herzegovina had gone through the tournament without dropping a set but that changed in the final as they twice overturned a one-set deficit in a contest that went the distance.

Germany claimed set one 25-18, before Bosnia and Herzegovina bounced back to win the second 25-23 and square the match.

A lengthy third set was edged by Germany 30-28, with Bosnia and Herzegovina forcing a decider by winning set four 25-21.

The deciding set, where the target was to reach 15 as opposed to 25 points, with a two-point advantage, went Bosnia and Herzegovina’s way 15-6.

Victory gave Bosnia and Herzegovina an 11^th continental title, and they will now have a chance to win a third men’s sitting volleyball Paralympic gold.

All six of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Paralympic medals have come in the sport - two golds, three silvers and one bronze, which came at Tokyo 2020.

Ukraine won men’s bronze at the European Sitting Volleyball Championships after overcoming Poland 25-17, 25-12, 25-16.

In the women’s event, a new continental champion was guaranteed with Russia unable to defend their title because of the country’s invasion of Ukraine.

Victory went to hosts Italy, who won the European crown for the first time after a three sets to one triumph against Slovenia.

Italy won the first set 25-17, before Slovenia levelled proceedings by taking set two 25-22.

Italy then took charge of the match winning sets three and four 25-16 and 25-22 to seal a historic continental title and a Paris 2024 Paralympics place.

Italy had to do it the hard way in their semi-final overturning a two-set deficit to defeat Ukraine 22-25, 17-25, 25-19, 25-19, 15-13.

Prior to their semi-final Italy had not dropped a set all tournament.

Ukraine won the bronze medal, overcoming Germany 25-17, 21-25, 26-24, 25-12.