Ziraat, Roeselare, Perugia, Resovia and Lube make statements as Champions League momentum builds
Recap
Pool A - Ziraat Bankkart ANKARA (TUR) vs TRENTINO Itas (ITA) 3-0 (25-15, 33-31, 25-22)
Ziraat Bankkart Ankara produced a stunning performance to defeat Trentino Itas in straight sets in the clash of two unbeaten teams from Pool A, becoming the first Turkish club to beat the Italian powerhouse in the CEV Champions League after nine consecutive victories by Italian teams over Turkish opposition.
In front of a fantastic crowd in Ankara, both teams delivered high-level Volleyball, but the hosts, led by Murat Yenipazar, were more consistent and versatile throughout the match.
Ziraat made a strong start, taking an early 4-1 lead behind Tomasz Fornal’s serve, before Alessandro Michieletto responded for Trentino (5-4). The Turkish side quickly regained control, pulling away to 9-5, which forced Trentino head coach Marcelo Mendez to call a timeout. Although Theo Faure briefly halted the momentum, Ziraat continued to dominate, stretching the lead to 14-9 and then 18-10, much to the delight of the home fans. The set was comfortably closed out at 25-15 for a 1-0 lead.
In the opening set, Nimir Abdel-Aziz scored six points (1 ace, 1 block, 4/4 in attack), while Michieletto led Trentino with four points. Ziraat posted an impressive 63% positive reception, compared to just 30% for the visitors, and also outperformed Trentino in both blocks and aces.
The second set followed a similar pattern, although it developed into a real battle. After an even start, Trentino briefly took control with a 9-5 lead, but Ziraat responded through strong serving from Yenipazar and Fornal. The teams traded points in a tense rally-filled exchange, with neither side able to gain a decisive advantage. Trentino had several set points, but failed to convert them, while Nimir’s powerful serving proved decisive in the closing stages. Ziraat eventually claimed the marathon set 33-31 to move ahead 2-0.
Nimir Abdel-Aziz dominated the second set with 12 points (1 ace, 1 block, 71% attack efficiency), while Fornal and Trevor Clevenot added six and five points respectively. On the other side, Michieletto scored seven points for Trentino.
The third set opened with another strong spell from Nimir, although Trentino briefly took the lead. The teams exchanged advantages until the final phase, when Ziraat raised the level once again. A series of strong serves by Clevenot brought match points, and the French outside hitter sealed the victory at 25-22, completing a convincing 3-0 win.
Nimir Abdel-Aziz was named MVP of the match after scoring 21 points (2 aces, 2 blocks, 63% attack). Trevor Clevenot added 13 points, while Tomasz Fornal contributed 12. For Trentino, Alessandro Michieletto finished as the top scorer with 12 points, followed by Jordi Ramon Feragut with 11 and Theo Faure with 10.
Pool B - Halkbank ANKARA (TUR) vs Knack ROESELARE (BEL) 2-3 (18-25, 25-21, 26-24, 15-25, 12-15)
Knack ROESELARE claimed a hard-fought 3–2 away victory over Halkbank ANKARA in Round 4 of Pool B of the CEV Champions League Volley 2026, prevailing after a tense 130-minute battle at the TVF Ziraat Bankkart Volleyball Hall.
The Belgian champions made a strong start, setting the tone in the opening set by building a six-point cushion and maintaining control to take it 25–18. Halkbank responded well in the second set, raising their level in block and defence. Regaining momentum during Matey Kaziyski’s service run, the Turkish side closed the set 25–21 to level the match.
Halkbank carried that momentum into the third set, quickly extending their lead to five points. Knack attempted a late comeback during Seppe Van Hoyweghen’s service turn, but were unable to overturn the deficit. In a fiercely contested finish, Tsvetan Sokolov sealed the set with an ace, handing Halkbank a 26–24 win and a 2–1 lead.
Roeselare answered decisively in the fourth set, dominating from the outset and limiting Halkbank’s attacking options to restore parity with a convincing 25–15 win. The tie-break followed a similar pattern early on, remaining close before the visitors pulled clear in the final exchanges. Strong attacking efficiency from Basil Dermaux proved decisive as Knack closed the set 15–12 to complete the comeback.
Dermaux was named MVP after an outstanding performance, finishing as the match’s top scorer with 39 points. Tsvetan Sokolov led Halkbank with 24 points, while Yoandy Leal Hidalgo added 13. Despite Halkbank recording more kill blocks (14–13) and matching Roeselare in aces (7–7), the Belgian side’s superior attacking output (71 winning spikes to 44) ultimately made the difference.
Around 1,500 Halkbank supporters filled the stands in Ankara, with a small group of travelling Roeselare fans also present, as Pool B remains wide open heading into the decisive phase of the group stage.
Nimir Abdel-Aziz“It was a great win against one of the best teams in the world. We played excellent volleyball and that is very encouraging. We are first in the standings with two rounds to go, but that doesn’t mean much yet. We have to stay focused and keep winning.”
Player of Ziraat Bankkart ANKARA
Pool C - Sir Sicoma Monini PERUGIA (ITA) vs BERLIN Recycling Volleys (GER) 3-0 (25-13, 25-23, 25-14)
Sir Sicoma Monini PERUGIA delivered a composed and authoritative performance on home court, defeating BERLIN Recycling Volleys in straight sets to take a clear step forward in Pool C of the CEV Champions League Volley 2026.
The defending champions imposed their rhythm from the very first rally. Strong serving pressure and sharp work at the net allowed Perugia to pull away early in the opening set, which they closed convincingly at 25-13. Wassim Ben Tara set the tone with efficiency in attack, as Berlin struggled to find stability in reception.
The German champions responded in the second set, raising their level and staying close throughout. Berlin briefly threatened late on, but Perugia showed their experience in the decisive moments. Back-to-back aces and a strong side-out phase enabled the hosts to edge the set 25-23 and take a two-set lead.
Perugia left no room for doubt in the third set. Relentless pressure from the service line and clean execution in transition quickly opened a gap, and the Italian side cruised to a 25-14 finish to seal the match in just 73 minutes.
Ben Tara was named MVP after another standout display, finishing as top scorer with 18 points and underlining his importance in key phases of the match. Oleh Plotnytskyi added 11 points for Perugia, while Nolan Flexen led Berlin with nine.
With this victory, Perugia move into a strong position at the top of Pool C, confirming the consistency that has defined their Champions League campaign so far. Berlin, who had shown resilience in earlier five-set encounters, were unable to extend the contest this time and will look to respond in the remaining group matches.
Wassim Ben Tara“It was important for us to win today and take the lead in the group. We focused a lot on this match, played at a high level, and took our chances. Every point matters in this competition, and these three points are very valuable for us.”
MVP and player of Sir Sicoma Monini PERUGIA
Pool D - Asseco Resovia RZESZOW (POL) vs Sporting CP LISBOA (POR) 3-0 (25-9, 25-23, 25-19)
Asseco Resovia Rzeszów outclassed Sporting CP Lisboa in three sets in front of home crowds in RCWS Podpromie Rzeszów in a match that lasted 77 minutes. This is second win in Pool D for the team of Rzeszów.
The Polish side took control early in the opening set, racing to a 4-1 lead and further extending the gap behind Klemen Cebulj’s powerful serving, including an ace, to make it 7-1. Asseco continued to build on their advantage, converting their attacks efficiently and putting Sporting’s reception and defence under constant pressure. With full control from start to finish, the Polish powerhouse closed the set emphatically at 25-9.
The second set proved more challenging for the hosts, as Sporting entered with greater composure and showcased their potential. Sharp serving helped the Portuguese side take a 6-4 lead, which they extended to 11-9 and later to 16-13. With the score tight at 19-17, Yacine Louati made a decisive impact through key blocks and attacks. A tense battle followed until the final points, and despite Sporting saving several set points, Resovia’s experience prevailed, sealing the set 25-23.
Resovia regained full control in the third set, quickly opening up a commanding lead at 8-2 and 10-4. The hosts continued to increase the gap, and although the visitors attempted a late comeback, the outcome was never in doubt as the match concluded with a 25-18 finish.
Statistically, Asseco dominated across the board, recording more winning spikes (39 to 32), superior attacking efficiency (76% to 38%), a clear advantage in kill blocks (10 to two) and aces (six to three). They also committed fewer errors overall, 14 compared to Sporting’s 19, underlining their comprehensive performance.
Yacine Louati was named MVP of the game, finishing as top scorer with 19 points to his name.
Wiktor Nowak“We started the first set very strongly, which caused us to relax a little in the second, allowing our opponents to play better. However, we came back in the middle of the set and won it with some good serves. In the third set, we returned to our usual level of play, earning three crucial points in the process. However, we mustn't lose sight of our goal of advancing to the next round by finishing top of our group.”
Player of Asseco Resovia Rzeszów
Pool E - PGE Projekt WARSZAWA (POL) vs Cucine Lube CIVITANOVA (ITA) 0-3 (18-25, 21-25, 24-26)
Cucine Lube Civitanova sealed their third win in Pool E after facing no serious problems against PGE Projekt Warszawa.
The opening set saw both teams deliver a strong performance from the serving line, with multiple aces early on as the score moved from 2-2 to 8-10. Aleksandar Nikolov then stepped up to extend Lube’s lead to 12-8, while Projekt Warsawa struggled in reception. Jan Firlej showed his class with a clever setter’s dump at the net, but Nikolov continued to play smartly, widening the gap to 14-9. Lube maintained full control of the set, reading the opponents well at the block to move ahead 16-10 and then 21-13. Despite Firlej firing an ace at 18-24, giving Warsawa a brief lift, Lube had nine set points and Mattia Bottolo ultimately closed the set, sealing a dominant opening performance.
The second set developed into a tight contest, with the score moving from 1-0 to 5-5 before Lube edged ahead at 8-7, a phase marked by misfortune for Bartosz Bednorz, with Brandon Koppers coming on in his place. Lube struggled from the serving line, allowing Warsawa to stay close and grow in confidence, but despite continued errors from the Italians, they managed to hold a narrow advantage at 10-8 and 12-9. The Polish responded with a four-point run to level the score at 12-12, but Eric Loeppky found success against the opponents’ block. Giovanni Maria Gargiulo then fired an ace to make it 14-13, and although both teams were affected by their own mistakes, Lube, led by Aleksandar Nikolov, proved more efficient in key moments. Loeppky ultimately sealed the set at 25–21. Lube committed 11 unforced errors in the set, compared to 13 from Warsawa.
The third set proved to be the most dramatic of the match, as momentum swung repeatedly between the two sides. Lube struggled early, recording three serve errors, allowing Projekt Warsawa to edge ahead 7-6 before an ace from Bednorz levelled the score at 8-8. The battle remained tight at 10-10, but the Italians then built a significant advantage at 18-14, forcing Warszawa to chase the game. With the score at 20-21, Giampaolo Medei called a crucial timeout. Despite ongoing issues in block-defence coordination and reception, Lube fought back to draw level at 22-22 and again at 23-23. After another tense exchange at 24-24, Bottolo delivered a sharp attack from the three-metre line to earn a set point, before Lube sealed the set 26-24 with a decisive quick attack through the middle.
Lube outclassed their opponents in attack: 40 to 29 winning spikes (50% to 38% exc. in attack), and were better in blocking (seven to three kill blocks). PGE Projekt Warszawa finished with one more ace (five to four).
Aleksandar Nikolov was named MVP after a standout performance, scoring 19 points across three sets with an impressive 56% success rate in attack. For Warszawa, Bednorz added nine points.