OTP Banka Branik believe they can make amends for away loss to reach Round 3

After losing in straight sets last week in Belgium, Slovenia’s national champions OTP Banka Branik MARIBOR will be playing host to Asterix Avo BEVEREN this coming Thursday with qualification to Round 3 of the elite CEV Champions League Volley 2027 Women at stake. 

OTP Banka Branik MARIBOR  is Slovenia’s most successful women’s volleyball club, with a long-standing tradition of competing at the highest level of domestic Volleyball and representing Slovenia in European club competitions. The club is competing for the second year in a row in the early rounds of the CEV Champions League, which represents an important opportunity for their young squad to gain valuable international experience, compete against high-quality European opposition and continue their development as a team.

They started the 2026/2027 season with a significantly refreshed and rejuvenated squad. Following several changes during the summer transfer window, the club has focused on building a competitive team combining promising young Slovenian talents, established national team players and international reinforcements. Among the notable additions is American opposite hitter Kamaluhia ‘Malu’ Garcia, who joined the club from Hawaii for her first professional experience in European Volleyball. The team has also welcomed Bulgarian outside hitter Dariya Ivanova, who previously played in Romania, thus bringing additional international experience to the squad.
Another important signing is Žana Godec, an established Slovenian national team player, who joined OTP Banka Branik from domestic rivals GEN-I Volley NOVA GORICA.
Under head coach Žiga Kos, the team is focused on developing chemistry, consistency and a strong competitive identity. Despite the significant roster changes, the club remains ambitious in domestic competitions while viewing the CEV Champions League as an excellent opportunity to gain international experience and compete against some of Europe’s strongest teams.

Žiga Kos, head coach of OTP Banka Branik MARIBOR: “What we regret the most from the first match is letting the opening set slip away after being in a strong position to win it. That gave our opponents confidence and momentum in the following two sets. However, that match is now behind us, and our focus is entirely on Thursday’s return leg. We will give everything we have to turn things around, secure a victory and force a Golden Set for a place in the next round. We know it will be a difficult challenge, but certainly not an impossible one. With the support of our home crowd in Maribor, we believe we can fight for qualification.”