Men’s CEV Fantasy Spotlight: Team of the Week

This round of the CEV Men’s Champions League Volley 2026 brought big moments and standout performances. Several players stepped up in key situations and earned their place in the Fantasy Team of the week. Here’s a quick look at how each of them made their mark.

Stephen Timothy Maar – Outside Hitter

He had one of the standout performances of the entire week. With 21 attack points, 2 kill blocks, and 3 aces, he racked up 26 total points, helping Galatasaray edge past Knack ROESELARE in a hard-fought battle. His scoring came at crucial moments, pushing his team through long rallies and tight sets. It was the type of complete, high-pressure display that makes an outside hitter a fantasy favourite.

Milosz Zniszczol – Middle Blocker

A model of efficiency in the middle, Milosz Zniszczol delivered 4 attack points, 4 kill blocks, and 1 ace, earning 9 points with a standout 80% spike success rate. His timing at the net and control in transition played a major role in Aluron’s victory over Asseco Resovia at Arena Sosnowiec. Even without massive scoring volume, his balance of attack and blocking made him one of the week’s most reliable performers.

Karol Butryn – Opposite

Despite Resovia’s defeat to Aluron, Karol Butryn’s individual performance was impossible to overlook. He powered through with 23 attack points, 3 aces, and 1 kill block, finishing the match with 27 total points; one of the highest fantasy outputs of the round. His scoring kept Resovia competitive throughout, proving once again that strong fantasy numbers don’t always come from the winning side.

Yurii Semeniuk – Middle Blocker

Delivered one of the strongest middle-blocking performances of the week as Projekt Warszawa dominated Volley Haasrode Leuven. He finished with 12 points, coming from 5 attack points, 6 kill blocks, and 1 ace. The six blocks stand out as a major factor in shutting down Leuven’s rhythm. Semeniuk’s efficiency made him an easy addition to this week’s fantasy lineup.

Wilfredo León Venero – Outside Hitter

Wilfredo León made his Champions League Fantasy debut in style, finishing with 18 points, backed by 4 aces and 3 kill blocks, along with 65% attack efficiency, the highest of the match. His presence was decisive in their win over last season’s Final Four team, Halkbank Ankara, bringing firepower exactly when LUK Lublin needed it.

Simone Giannelli – Setter

Simone Giannelli once again proved why he is considered one of the best setters globally. Leading the reigning champions Perugia to a comeback win over VK Lvi PRAHA, he earned the MVP award after producing 7 points — 6 kill blocks and 1 ace. Beyond the numbers, Giannelli dictated the match’s tempo, creating one-on-one attacking opportunities and lifting Perugia in the moments they needed leadership the most. The combination of his control, creativity, and defensive presence made him a must-have for this week's fantasy lineup.

Berkay Bayraktar – Libero

He anchored Ziraat’s backcourt with precision, posting a 53% positive reception rate in their win over TOURS VB. His clean passing repeatedly kept the team in system, giving Ziraat the stability they needed to control the rhythm of the match. 

A quick look at the top fantasy performers from Leg 1, with Butryn leading the way and the rest of the pack close behind.

If you’ve enjoyed this week’s action, now’s a great time to join CEV Fantasy and build your team for the coming round.