Resovia complete #CLVolleyM quarterfinal line-up on the #RoadToTorino

The Road to Torino is now complete, as Thursday night's final CEV Champions League Volley 2026 - Men Play-Off determined the last quarterfinalist. Wild card recipients Asseco Resovia RZESZÓW, after a straight-sets win in the first leg at home, finished the job at REO Arena in Roeselare, upsetting local favourites Knack ROESELARE 3-1 and delivering a solid performance despite some difficulties in the second set. Yacine Louati emerged as Resovia's hero and was named MVP of the match. In the race for a place at the #CLVolleyM Final Four, Resovia will face Ziraat Bankkart Ankara.

Knack ROESELARE vs Asseco Resovia RZESZÓW 1-3 (23-25, 25-22, 17-25, 21-25)

Asseco Resovia Rzeszów started the match at REO Arena in Roeselare with confidence. Strong spikes from Karol Butryn and Artur Szalpuk, followed by an ace from Yacine Louati, quickly gave the visitors a 4-1 lead - with all three players eventually finishing the set with 5 points each. The Polish side dominated the early stages, scoring effectively in all elements (11-6) and putting pressure on Knack Roeselare, who struggled in defense (15-10). Basil Dermaux (6 points) sparked a comeback for the hosts with two consecutive aces (15-12), and soon after his powerful spike, followed by an ace from Oskar Espeland, the hosts reduced the gap to 16-15. Their efforts paid off with the tie at 19-19 after a block from Espeland. In the closing moments both teams had their ups and downs, but Resovia eventually secured the set 25-23 after a decisive kill from Butryn.

Knack set the tone early in the second set, taking a 4-2 lead with Basil Dermaux leading the way (5 points in the set). Resovia struggled heavily from the service line, committing as many as 9 service errors. The visitors briefly managed to level the score at 8-8, but Dermaux once again pushed the hosts ahead with two consecutive aces (13-10). An ace from Pieter Coolman extended the lead to 16-12, and from that moment Knack kept the situation under control. Despite several good plays from Resovia, led by Yacine Louati (6 points), their continued service mistakes prevented them from closing the gap. Eventually, a kill from Oskar Espeland sealed the set 25-22 and kept the hosts' hopes alive.

After dropping the second set, Resovia regrouped and pushed to secure their place in the quarterfinals. Powered by spikes from Karol Butryn and Yacine Louati, the visitors built a four-point lead at 10-6. An ace from Louati extended the advantage to 13–8 and it seemed Resovia had the situation under control. However, from 15-9 Knack managed to reduce the gap to three points (15-12) with Lennert Van Elsen on the service line, adding more tension to the match. Resovia held firm and quickly rebuilt their lead. Strong team play, solid blocking (4 points in this element) and effective attacks from Louati and Butryn - both scoring 5 points in the set - pushed the visitors to 23-16 with Mateusz Poręba serving. A net touch from Knack then closed the set 25-17, securing Resovia the last available spot in the quarterfinals.

Resovia made several changes to their line-up, while Knack stayed with their starting six. Coach Massimo Botti gave playing time to outside hitters Klemen Čebulj and Lukáš Vašina, along with opposite Jakub Bucki, and despite the rotations both teams continued to fight hard for every point in a tight, point-by-point battle. In the middle of the set, with Cezary Sapiński serving, Resovia pulled ahead to 17-14. The visitors, led by Jakub Bucki - who scored seven points with an impressive 88% success rate in attack - kept control of the score and eventually closed the set and the match at 25–21.

MVP honours went to Yacine Louati, who scored 16 points in the first three sets to finish as Resovia's top scorer. His tally included 2 aces, 2 blocks and 12 kills at 75% efficiency, along with 78% positive receptions. He was followed by Karol Butryn with 13 points, while Knack's Oskar Espeland finished as the match's top scorer with 17 points.

Asseco Resovia Rzeszów completes the #CLVolleyM quarterfinal line-up, becoming one of four Polish clubs to reach this stage of the competition. In the quarterfinals, they will face Ziraat Bankkart Ankara.