The group stage of the inaugural Guardians Trophy 2026 concluded at the Don Bosco Oratory, Panjim, on Saturday, with Goa Guardians U21, Hyderabad Black Hawks U21, Ahmedabad Defenders U21and Mumbai Meteors Youth securing their places in Sunday’s knock-outs.
After 20 matches across two days featuring the U21 squads of all 10 Prime Volleyball League franchises, hosts Goa Guardians U21 finished as the only unbeaten team in the competition, topping Group A with eight points from four wins in four matches.
Goa entered Day 2 having won both of their opening-day encounters and continued their perfect run with a 2-1 victory over Delhi Toofans U21. The hosts then completed their unbeaten group-stage campaign with another
2-1 victory, this time over Bengaluru Torpedoes U21.
Behind Goa, the race for the second semifinal position in Group A went down to the wire. Black Hawks U21 and Delhi Toofans U21 both finished on seven points with two wins apiece, with Hyderabad eventually securing second place courtesy of their superior points difference.
Hyderabad added an important 2-1 victory over Chennai Blitz on Saturday, while Delhi defeated Hyderabad 2-1 in their final group-stage encounter. Bengaluru also registered their first victory of the competition with a 2-1 win
over Chennai.
Ahmedabad Defenders U21 finished on top of Group B, ending their four matches with seven points and three victories. Ahmedabad defeated Thunderbolts Army 2-1 on Saturday before Calicut Heroes Next handed them their only
defeat of the group stage in the final match, winning 2-1.
Mumbai Meteors Youth secured the second semifinal berth, also finishing with seven points and three wins. Mumbai defeated Kochi Blue Spikers 2-1 in a tightly contested opening match of the day. Ahmedabad ultimately finished ahead of Mumbai at the top of Group B on points difference.
Kochi Blue Spikers U21 finished third in Group B despite registering a 2-1 victory over Calicut on Saturday, while Calicut closed their campaign on a high with their victory over group winners Ahmedabad.
Final Standings:
Group A
1. Goa Guardians U21 – 8 points – Qualified
2. Black Hawks U21 – 7 points – Qualified
3. Delhi Toofans U21 – 7 points
4. Chennai Blitz U21 – 5 points
5. Torpedoes U21 – 3 points
Group B
6. Ahmedabad Defenders U21 – 7 points – Qualified
7. Mumbai Meteors Youth – 7 points – Qualified
8. Kochi Blue Spikers U21 – 6 points
9. Calicut Heroes Next – 5 points
10. Thunderbolts Army – 5 points
Sunday’s Knockouts Lineup:
•Semifinal 1 | 8.30 AM | Goa Guardians U21 vs Mumbai Meteors Youth
•Semifinal 2 | 10:00 AM | Ahmedabad Defenders U21 vs Black Hawks U21
•Final – 3.15 PM
GOA GUARDIANS TROPHY – Day 2 Results:Group A – Bengaluru 2-1 Chennai 15-10, 10-15, 15-13; Delhi 1-2 Goa 13-15, 11-15, 15-7; Chennai 1-2 Hyderabad 15-10, 7-15, 12-15; Bengaluru 1-2 Goa 12-15, 5-15, 16-14; Delhi 2-1 Hyderabad
7-15, 15-13, 15-11; Group B – Mumbai 2-1 Kochi 20-18, 15-12, 15-17; Ahmedabad 2-1 Kolkata
15-9, 11-15, 15-11; Kochi 2-1 Calicut 15-7, 15-12, 13-15; Mumbai 2-1 Kolkata 9-15, 16-14, 15-7; Ahmedabad 1-2 Calicut 11-15, 15-11, 12-15.
