Guaguas seal #CLVolleyM quarterfinal spot after dramatic clash with Montpellier

MONTPELLIER HSC VB and Guaguas LAS PALMAS kicked off the decisive week of the CEV Champions League Volley 2026 – Men Play Offs with a thrilling clash at Palais des Sports Jacques Chaban-Delmas in Castelnau-le-Lez. The encounter delivered plenty of drama and high-level volleyball from start to finish. Arriving in France with a 3–1 victory from the first leg, the Spanish side needed “only” two sets to secure their place in the quarterfinals, but the hosts pushed them to the limit and came close to forcing a Golden Set. In the end, Guaguas Las Palmas - led by the powerful duo of Francisco Wallysson Bezerra Souza and the legendary Osmany Juantorena - captured the crucial fourth set that sealed their progression, even though Montpellier eventually claimed the match itself in a tie-break. With this result, Guaguas Las Palmas advanced to the #CLVolleyM quarterfinals for the second time in club history, repeating their achievement from 2024.

MONTPELLIER HSC VB (FRA) vs Guaguas LAS PALMAS (ESP) 3-2 (25-22, 20-25, 25-19, 22-25, 15-11)

Guaguas Las Palmas, carrying a solid advantage after their 3–1 win in the first clash, began the revenge match at Palais des Sports Jacques Chaban-Delmas in Castelnau-le-Lez looking the sharper side. Powerful spikes from Francisco Wallysson Souza - who scored 5 points in the opening set - set the tone early, while the hosts initially struggled to find their rhythm. Gradually, however, Montpellier HSC VB settled into the match. Strong work at the net allowed them to build confidence and turn the score around, taking a 12–10 lead and beginning to generate momentum. An ace from Haukea Mare (4 points in the set) stretched the advantage to 18–14, and the hosts followed it up with impressive blocks from Simon Hirsch and Quentin Jouffroy, both also contributing in attack. Las Palmas tried to respond through Helder Roni Mendes Spencer and Osmany Juantorena's spikes, but the home side held firm to their lead at 22–17. In the closing moments Nicolas Le Goff entered the court, and although Montpellier needed three set points, they eventually sealed the set after a mistake from Guaguas (25-22).

Tension was high at the start of the second set. Guaguas, powered by Osmany Juantorena — who led the team in this set, scoring 5 points and an impressive 80% success rate in attack - quickly took control, racing to an early 7–2 lead. Guaguas dominated the court in this phase, while the hosts struggled to find a response that would allow them to string together consecutive points. Montpellier committed too many unforced errors, including 8 missed serves, allowing Guaguas Las Palmas to comfortably maintain their advantage at 16–11. Despite the unfavorable score, a service ace from Sanchez briefly reignited hope for the home side, followed by a strong spike from Palacios (5 points in the set) that cut the deficit to three at 17–14. Moments later, helped by a couple of mistakes from their rivals, the hosts moved even closer at 19–17. Las Palmas, however, reacted in the best possible way - a powerful ace from Wallysson restored their cushion at 22–18. Shortly after, Guaguas closed the set 25–20, moving to within one set of the quarterfinals.

With no more room for mistakes, Montpellier entered the third set under heavy pressure. Simon Hirsch tried to take charge on the French side, well supported by Quentin Jouffroy and Palacios. Guaguas Las Palmas, however, were just as determined, and both teams battled fiercely for every point, staying head to head for most of the set. At 18–18 the hosts finally seized the momentum. With Tomas Lopez Pascual on the service line, Montpellier produced a decisive run, jumping from 18–18 to 24–18. His impressive serving streak included two aces and was backed up by excellent play from Hirsch and Palacios, who both scored 6 points in the set. Shortly after, a missed serve from Wallysson (7 points in the set) handed Montpellier the final point, sealing the set 25–19.

The tight battle continued in the fourth set, with both teams going point for point and showing great determination and high-level Volleyball. Both setters spread the play effectively, using the full potential of their attackers. On the Las Palmas side, Francisco Wallysson Souza and Osmany Juantorena led the scoring with 6 and 5 points respectively, while Montpellier relied mainly on Simon Hirsch and Ezequiel Palacios, who both added 5 points in the set. Around the middle of the set, each team managed to build a two-point lead, only for the opponent to quickly respond and level the score again. The drama intensified in the closing moments when a block by Martin Ramos on Quentin Jouffroy gave Las Palmas a crucial opportunity, putting them ahead 23–21. This time Guaguas did not let the chance slip away. After a mistake from Palacios, who touched the net, the visitors secured the decisive point - winning the second set which they needed (25-22) and grabbing their ticket to the quarterfinals for the second time in club's history.

The match continued with a tie-break and, despite the quarterfinalists already being decided, both teams kept fighting hard until the end. Led by Simon Hirsch, Montpellier built an early 9–6 advantage. Las Palmas tried to chase the score and briefly closed the gap to 9–8, but the French side maintained control of the set, extending their lead to 12–8 before sealing the tie-break 15–11.

Francisco Wallysson Bezerra Souza and Simon Hirsch - the leaders of Las Palmas and Montpellier respectively - finished as the match’s top scorers with 21 points each. Both players recorded identical stat lines of 18 kills, 2 blocks and 1 ace; Wallysson attacking at an impressive 58% efficiency, while Hirsch finished with 49%. The MVP award went to Las Palmas setter Miguel Ángel De Amo for his excellent distribution throughout the match. In the quarterfinals, Guaguas Las Palmas will face Sir Sicoma Monini Perugia.