New year, new victories as Resovia, Trentino and Zawiercie prevail in #CLVolleyM
Recap
The CEV Champions League Volley 2026 – Men returned on Tuesday after the holiday break with three exciting matches. In Pool D, Asseco Resovia Rzeszów erased the disappointment of their opening game with a commanding straight-sets victory over SVG Lüneburg, led by an outstanding performance from Karol Butryn, who was virtually unstoppable with an 84% attack success rate. Later that night, Sporting CP Lisboa showed no fear against last season’s silver medalists, Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie, who eventually managed to prevail in straight sets, guided by team captain Mateusz Bieniek. In Pool A, Tours VB challenged Trentino Itas by taking the opening set against the Italian powerhouse; however, Trentino bounced back, led by Théo Faure, to secure their second win.
Pool D: Asseco Resovia RZESZÓW (POL) vs. SVG LÜNEBURG (GER) 3-0 (25-14, 25-15, 25-19)
Asseco Resovia Rzeszów opened the year in the best possible way, claiming their first victory in the CEV Champions League Volley 2026 – Men. The team from Rzeszów fully controlled the match, showing excellent efficiency in reception (63%) and an even more impressive performance in attack (68%). They also dominated at the net, outblocking their opponents 10–4, and sealed a straight-sets win over SVG Lüneburg.
Asseco Resovia Rzeszów made a dominant start against SVG Lüneburg, quickly erasing memories of their group-stage loss in Germany by taking full control of the opening set at the RCWS Podpromie Hall. The hosts set the pace from the outset, racing to a 9–5 lead and setting the tone early. Karol Butryn led the charge with seven points, converting all six of his attack attempts, while Klemen Čebulj added four. Danny Demyanenko provided valuable support at both ends of the court, finishing the set with five points. The hosts dominated in attack, posting an impressive 76% efficiency. Lüneburg struggled to contain Resovia's rhythm, despite the efforts of Ethan Champlin, who was the visitors' top scorer with four points. The Polish side also asserted dominance at the net, with Demyanenko's blocks stretching the lead to 18–10, while libero Paweł Zatorski marshalled the defence. With momentum fully on their side, Resovia closed the set in emphatic fashion. An ace from Artur Szalpuk made it 21–11, and a service error by Axel Larsen sealed the set at a convincing 25–14.
Karol Butryn once again set the tone for Resovia at the start of the second set. A strong serve from the opposite, followed by a block from Mateusz Poręba, quickly gave the hosts a 4–2 lead. With setter Marcin Janusz confidently using all of his attacking options, Resovia continued to build momentum, extending the advantage to 9–4 as every spiker contributed with similar effectiveness. Lüneburg briefly found their rhythm midway through the set. From 12–8 down, the visitors closed the gap to 13–11 thanks to strong plays from Ethan Champlin (4 points in this set) and Jackson Howe (4), putting Resovia under some pressure. However, the team coached by Massimo Botti gradually regained full control. Powerful attacks from Butryn (7 points) and Klemen Čebulj (4) restored a comfortable lead at 18–13, and Resovia continued to dictate the game, moving ahead to 21–14 as the German side struggled to respond. The visitors' situation became even more difficult when their libero, Sho Takahashi, was forced to leave the court with a hand injury. With no second libero available in the lineup, outside hitter Jesse Elser had to take over the role. Resovia took full advantage of the situation, and a strong serving run by Danny Demyanenko, capped by an ace, closed the set at 25–15.
Although the start of the third set was more competitive, Resovia soon took control, building a three-point lead at 7–4 after strong plays from Artur Szalpuk and Mateusz Poręba, and then extending it to 10–5. Lüneburg head coach Stefan Hübner reacted quickly with a timeout, but his team was unable to slow down Resovia, who were backed by nearly 3,000 spectators in the stands (14-7). Two consecutive aces from Karol Butryn further increased the advantage to 18–11. Lüneburg tried to respond through individual efforts from Axel Larsen (4 points) and Axel Enlund (3 points), but the visitors could not regain momentum as Resovia continued to look unstoppable, moving ahead 20–13. With the outcome no longer in doubt, coach Massimo Botti opted to rotate his squad, substituting almost the entire starting six to give more players time on court. Despite Lüneburg saving three match points with strong blocking, Resovia eventually sealed the match with a 25–19 win in the set.
Karol Butryn topped the scoring charts with 19 points and delivered an outstanding performance in attack, posting an impressive 84% success rate with 16 kills from 19 attempts. His all-around contribution also included two aces and one block, a display that fully earned him the MVP award. He was well supported by Klemen Čebulj and Danny Demyanenko, who both finished with 10 points. For Lüneburg, Ethan Champlin was the top scorer with 10 points.
Karol Butryn“We wanted to show from the beginning that we are the better team. The first Champions League game didn't go our way, so we wanted to bounce back and win this match, which we did. We started well and managed to keep the same level throughout the game. We played very well in all elements, and that helped us stop our opponents.”
MVP and player of Asseco Resovia Rzeszów
Massimo Botti“The difficulty with these matches lies in understanding how to deal with opponents at a level we are not very familiar with. The Champions League is a tournament where the best teams in Europe compete, so we had to be prepared, we couldn't afford to underestimate our opponents or play below our best level. It was therefore necessary to approach the match with the right determination and consideration. We did our duty, and I'm happy that we can now prepare for future events.”
head coach of Asseco Resovia Rzeszów
Stefan Hübner“I think there was a lot of serve pressure from the start, and that's a level we are not used to in our league. So it took us a while to adapt to that. Then Rzeszów played very disciplined with block and defense, with good serve pressure, so it was really difficult for us. We had just a few chances. That might be the only bad thing in our game, the situations where we had a chance to make a dig and a defense. We didn't play that well. So there were a couple points for us that we left on the road. This level helps us because it shows us where our deficits are and what areas we have to work on to play on this high level. We will fight and we will always come back with a good spirit. I hope we can grow during this competition, that we can adapt a little bit to the level and that players can improve and we hope that we play from week to week a little bit on a higher level.”
head coach of SVG Lüneburg
Pool A: TOURS VB (FRA) vs. TRENTINO Itas (ITA) 1–3 (25–19, 24–26, 12–25, 20–25)
Trentino Itas extended their winning run in the CEV Champions League Volley 2026, recording their sixth victory in seven matches overall with an away win against Tours VB, and their second success in Pool A this season. Tours surprised the Italian side in the opening set, seemingly catching Trentino off guard, but the visitors gradually raised their level and eventually claimed a deserved 3–1 triumph.
Trentino opened the match with a 2–0 lead, but Tours quickly responded to make it 3–3. The early exchange of points was broken by Alessandro Michieletto, whose strong serves helped Trentino move ahead 6–3. The hosts stayed close and, thanks to the serve of captain Željko Ćorić, leveled at 9–9 before taking their first lead at 13–12. Tours went on to lead 15–13 and 18–15, forcing Marcelo Mendez to call a timeout. After the break, the longest rally of the set went to Tours for a 19–15 lead. Strong defensive play helped the home team extend their advantage to a maximum of 23–16, and they comfortably closed the set 25–19 for a 1–0 lead. Tours finished the opening set with four blocks, while Nik Mujanović scored six points. For Trentino, Michieletto led with four points, while Jordi Ramon Ferragut and Florian Bela Bartha added three apiece.
The second set followed a similar pattern early on, but this time with Trentino in control, leading 5–2, then 8–3 and 11–6. Tours reduced the deficit to 11–8, but the Michieletto–Ramon Ferragut receiving duo helped Trentino pull away to 15–10. The hosts answered with a 3–0 run to make it 15–13, and after Trentino went up 16–13, another three-point series by Tours brought the score level at 16–16. From 18–18, Trentino moved ahead 20–18, only for the persistent home side to equalize again at 23–23. Trentino missed their first set point but converted the second, as Jordi Ramon Ferragut served an ace for 26–24 and 1–1 in sets. Tours were again more effective at the net (3–1 in blocks), while Nik Mujanović led all scorers with nine points (80% attack efficiency, one block). For Trentino, Jordi Ramon Ferragut, Théo Faure and Alessandro Michieletto each scored five points.
Carried by the momentum from the second set, Trentino stormed into the third with a 6–0 lead. Everything went right for the Italian side, who quickly pulled away to 11–2, 13–3 and 18–8 before sealing a convincing 25–12 win to take a 2–1 lead. Trentino’s dominance was reflected in the attack efficiency (17–8) and three blocks. Mujanović scored just four points for Tours, while Théo Faure shone for Trentino with 10 points (two blocks, 89% attack efficiency). Michieletto and Bartha added four points each.
Trentino also started strongly in the fourth set, leading 5–2, 9–5 and 13–8. Tours attempted to mount a comeback, closing the gap to 13–11 and later 16–15, but Trentino responded by increasing the lead to 19–16. The visitors then maintained control to close the set 25–20 and secure a 3–1 victory.
Trentino opposite Théo Faure was named MVP of the match after scoring 24 points (one ace, two blocks, 62% attack efficiency).
The top scorer of the match was Tours’ Nik Mujanović with 29 points (three blocks, 57% attack efficiency). For Trentino, Alessandro Michieletto scored 18 points, Florian Bela Bartha 14, and Jordi Ramon Ferragut 13.
Théo Faure“It was a big battle throughout the entire match. The home team started very aggressively and with great energy. After losing the first set, we had to play much better. The second set was also very close, and we had to push hard to win the match. We are playing in a very strong pool, so every match matters. The season is long and there is still a lot to play for, but every set is certainly important for the final outcome.”
MVP and player of Trentino Itas
Pool D: Sporting CP LISBOA (POR) vs. Aluron CMC Warta ZAWIERCIE (POL) 0-3 (22-25, 24-26, 20-25)
Fresh from winning bronze at the Club World Championships, the 2025 #CLVolleyM runners-up Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie opened the new year with a victory over Sporting CP Lisboa, marking their second win in Pool D. Although the match was decided in straight sets, it proved to be highly dramatic and featured many outstanding rallies and high-quality plays.
The #CLVolleyM rookies Sporting CP Lisboa showed no fear as they faced last season’s silver medalists, Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie, at Pavilhão João Rocha in Lisbon. Aluron started strong, with Aaron Russell helping the visitors take a 4–2 lead, but Lisboa quickly responded, led by Edson Valencia Gonzalez, who scored 8 points in the opening set (70% success in attack). Aluron tried to extend their advantage to 6–4, but Lisboa matched them point for point. The opening set remained tightly contested, with neither side able to pull away. The hosts registering an impressive 72% positive reception. Both teams displayed powerful attacks, keeping the game intensity high through 17–17. As the set reached its decisive stage, Zawiercie took control with Tavares on serve, moving ahead 19–17 after Russell's spike and Mateusz Bieniek's block, and later extending the lead to 21–18. Kyle Ensing's attack gave Zawiercie a series of match points, and Russell's spike closed the set at 25–22. The American duo of Ensing and Russell proved to be Zawiercie’s leaders in the opener, contributing 7 and 6 points (70% and 86% success in attack), respectively.
The second set opened as a tight, point-by-point battle. A triple block by Ensing, Russell, and Tavares gave Zawiercie a 6–4 lead, but Sporting CP Lisboa responded with strong plays from Valencia Gonzalez and Jan Pokersnik. From 7–7, however, Zawiercie, led by an unstoppable Russell -who scored 8 points in the set - pulled away to 14–9. Coach João Coelho tried several substitutions to change the momentum, but despite some excellent plays, Lisboa could not reduce the gap, trailing 15–20. Sporting CP then won three consecutive points, including a block from Valencia Gonzalez (5 points), to narrow the deficit to 20–17. Zawiercie's coach Michał Winiarski immediately called a timeout, helping his team secure the next rally, but the hosts continued to press. A powerful hammer from Lourenço Garcia Martins (6 points) brought Lisboa within a single point at 21–20, making the set even more dramatic. A challenged ace from Kelton Semedo Tavares leveled the score at 21–21, and shortly after, Valencia Gonzalez's spike gave Lisboa the lead at 22–21. Zawiercie responded with a spike from Bieniek, triggering another point-by-point showdown. An overlong serve from Ensing handed a set point to Lisboa at 24–23, but Zawiercie managed to deny it, ultimately taking the set 26–24 after Russell's decisive attack.
The tight battle continued into the third set, with both teams determined to show their best volleyball. After an attack from Ensing, Zawiercie took a 7–5 lead and extended it to 10–7. However, Lisboa fought back, with strong serves from Mads Jensen and powerful spikes from Lourenço Garcia Martins helping the hosts tie the score at 12–12. The duo kept Sporting CP in the game, maintaining parity with their opponents up to 17–17. In the decisive stage of the set, Zawiercie regained control. Alongside Ensing and Russell, team captain Mateusz Bieniek made a huge impact, recording a perfect 100% success in attack (5/5). His block set up match points at 24–19, and his final spike sealed the set and the match at 25–20.
Aaron Russell led the scoring charts with 19 points, including 15 kills (63% success), 2 blocks, and 2 aces, followed by Kyle Ensing with 16 points (all in attack at 59% success). However, MVP honours went to Mateusz Bieniek, who contributed 12 points, including 11 kills at 85% success and 1 block. For Sporting CP Lisboa, Lourenço Garcia Martins and Edson Valencia Gonzalez were the top scorers, each finishing with 13 points.
Michal Winiarski“I believe that these are very important three points. I’m really proud of the team. I think that Sporting CP played really well in defence, and this way they made it difficult for us.”
Head coach of Aluron CMC Warta ZAWIERCIE
Mateusz Bieniek“I am very happy because before this game we had lost two matches in a row and our confidence wasn’t very high. This was an important win for us. I think we played very smart in attack. Sporting CP did not block us many times, and I think that was key.”
Aluron CMC Warta ZAWIERCIE captain and MVP
Kelton Semedo Tavares“We wanted more. It’s a bittersweet feeling because we knew we were capable of more. Unfortunately, it wasn’t possible. It was a very tight match, but in the decisive moments they were better.”
Sporting CP player
João Coelho“It’s a bittersweet feeling. Overall, we deserved more, especially because of the comeback in the second set, when we could have re-opened the match. CMC Warta ZAWIERCIE is a powerful team that needs no introduction. We lacked physical presence.”
Sporting CP coach