Zawiercie and Montpellier Open Leg 3 with Straight-Set Wins
Recap
In the opening matches of Leg 3 of the 2026 CEV Champions League Volley Men, Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie and Montpellier HSC VB both recorded convincing straight-set victories. The Polish side claimed a 3-0 win away in Germany against SVG Lüneburg (25-19, 25-21, 25-22), while the French wildcard holders delighted their home crowd with a 3-0 success over Volley Haasrode Leuven (25-22, 25-18, 25-20).
Pool D: SVG LÜNEBURG (GER) vs. Aluron CMC Warta ZAWIERCIE (POL) 0-3 (19-25, 21-25, 22-25)
Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie recorded their third consecutive victory in Pool D of the 2026 CEV Champions League Men, defeating SVG Lüneburg in straight sets. The match was also notable for the presence on the benches of Stefan Hübner and Michał Winiarski, who both wore the Trentino Volley jersey during the 2006/2007 season.
Last season, Aluron had already eliminated Lüneburg in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Champions League with two convincing wins (3-0, 3-1).
The Polish side opened the match strongly, taking an early 2-0 and 4-2 lead before extending it to 8-6. Lüneburg managed to level at 8-8, but Aluron responded with three consecutive points to go up 11-8. From that moment on, the visitors remained in control, leading 16-12 and 19-13 before closing the opening set 25-19. Aaron Russell led Aluron with five points in the first set, including one block, while Mateusz Bieniek added four points with an impressive 80% attack efficiency. For the hosts, Ethan Champlin scored three points, while Daniel Gruvaeus, Jackson Howe and Axel Enlund added two each.
Backed by strong home support in the LKH Arena, Lüneburg opened the second set with a 4-3 lead, but Aluron quickly turned the score around to 9-7. The Polish team maintained control at 12-9, 16-12 and 19-15 before Lüneburg mounted a late comeback to 19-17 and then 20-19. However, strong defense and precise attacking by Aaron Russell pushed Aluron back in front at 22-19. Axel Larsen reduced the gap with an ace (22-21), but Jakub Czerwiński finished a long rally for 24-21, and Mateusz Bieniek sealed the set at 25-21 for a 2-0 lead.
Russell once again led the way with five points in the second set, while Jurii Gladyr, Mateusz Bieniek and Kyle Ensing added three each. For Lüneburg, Axel Enlund scored four points, with Jackson Howe and Ethan Champlin contributing three apiece.
Lüneburg started the third set strongly, taking a 3-0 lead, but Aluron quickly responded to level at 3-2. The teams stayed close until the middle of the set, when the visitors pulled ahead at 13-10, then 15-14 and 19-16. Mateusz Bieniek’s ace made it 23-19, effectively deciding the match. Aluron closed the set 25-22 to secure a straight-sets victory.
Aaron Russell was named MVP of the match after scoring 15 points (2 blocks, 1 ace). Mateusz Bieniek also finished with 15 points, adding two aces, one block and an impressive 71% success rate in attack. For Lüneburg, Axel Enlund was the top scorer with 11 points.
With this victory, Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie sits top of Pool D with a perfect record (3-0, maximum 9 points), while SVG Lüneburg is third with one win and three points.
In the next, fourth round of Pool D, Aluron will host Sporting CP LISBOA, while Lüneburg will welcome Asseco Resovia Rzeszów.
“We played a good game. At this level, the two or three attacking errors we made were too many. Then you cannot keep up. It was clear to see that it is important to be bold with our serves and not hesitate. It was much better than against Rzeszow; we adapted much better to this level. These games are invaluable in terms of seeing what you need to do at this level,” said the head coach of SVG LÜNEBURG, Stefan Hübner.
Michal Winiarski, head coach of Aluron CMC Warta: “We expected a difficult game. All the time you could see that Lüneburg was starting really good. And then in one moment our counterattack and also the mistakes in attack of Lüneburg helped us to control the game. There were some close situations, but all the time we were two, three points in front. In the second set it was quite close, and we had some easy mistakes where we lost our focus a little bit. But for us it’s really important that we have three points, even without losing a set.”
Santeri Välimaa, player of SVG LÜNEBURG: “For sure it was better than in Rzeszow. We showed that we really belong on this level. Even though they didn’t play their first six, they also showed why they are one of the best teams in Poland and in Europe. We still have ways to go, but this was a good sign for us. We take away that we got closer. How we get closer to these teams is the mental point. When you get chances, you really have to be smart and concentrated so that you can take these chances all the time when they come. That’s the next step for us.”
Aaron Russell“We definitely prepared for a tough match. We know this team plays very well at home and the fans are very loud and supportive of their guys. So we really had to be mentally strong. We were able to pass some difficult serves and to side-out on those. Also our service was going pretty well, was putting them in difficult situations and making our job easier. Just here and there losing focus a little. There’s something we can be better at.”
MVP of the match
POOL E: MONTPELLIER HSC VB (FRA) vs Volley Haasrode LEUVEN (BEL) 3-0 (25-22, 25-18, 25-20)
MONTPELLIER HSC VB continued their positive momentum in Pool E of the CEV Champions League with a confident straight-sets victory over Volley Haasrode LEUVEN, winning 3-0 on Tuesday evening in Castelnau-le-Lez.
Playing in front of their home crowd at the Palais des Sports Jacques Chaban Delmas, the French side controlled the match through consistent pressure at the net and solid organisation in all phases. Montpellier finished with clear advantages in blocking (9 kill blocks to 2) and serving (4 aces to 1), which proved decisive across the three sets.
The opening set was the most competitive, with both teams exchanging points and staying close through the middle phase. Montpellier gradually gained the upper hand thanks to their effectiveness at the net, recording five kill blocks in the set, and managed the final rallies with composure to close it 25-22.
From there, the hosts steadily increased their control. In the second set, improved serving and defensive stability allowed Montpellier to pull away early, while Haasrode Leuven struggled to find rhythm in side-out. Two aces and a series of well-constructed transition plays helped the French team seal the set 25-18.
The third set followed a similar pattern. Leuven showed greater resistance and remained competitive for longer stretches, but Montpellier’s efficiency in attack and timely interventions in block and defence ensured they stayed in front. The hosts closed the match 25-20, completing the sweep in just over 71 minutes.
Ezequiel Palacios was named MVP after leading Montpellier with 14 points and providing stability in both attack and reception. Vincent Mathias added 13 points, while Adrián Olalla Gómez topped Leuven’s scoring with 11.
The win marks an important step for Montpellier in their second Champions League campaign, as they look to build on the confidence gained from their dramatic victory over PGE Projekt Warszawa. For Volley Haasrode LEUVEN, competing in their debut Champions League season, the match offered further valuable experience against a disciplined and in-form opponent as Pool E continues to take shape.
Ezequiel Palacios“We prepared this match really well in the last few days. We felt good on court. Now we have to enjoy this moment, take some rest and focus on the next match.”
MVP of the Match, MONTPELLIER HSC VB Outside Hitter and Captain