Korneluk sets sights on Champions League glory with Fenerbahçe

Upon the conclusion of Round 3 this week, anticipation is rising ahead of the start of Round 4 in the CEV ZEREN Group Champions League Volley 2026 | Women. Recognized among the world’s best middle blockers, Agnieszka Korneluk begins a new chapter of her career with Fenerbahçe Medicana ISTANBUL, marking her debut season in Turkish volleyball.

In less than two weeks, Korneluk and her teammates will start their campaign in the CEV ZEREN Group Champions League Volley 2026 | Women as the top-ranked team in Pool B, where they will face Sport LISBOA e Benfica - competing at this stage for the first time after advancing through the early rounds - along with Igor Gorgonzola NOVARA and PGE Budowlani ŁÓDŹ. Speaking ahead of the Champions League season, the Polish star reflected on her first months in Türkiye, outlined her goals for the upcoming year, and shared her impressions of joining a team filled with some of the globe’s finest players.

Agnieszka Korneluk and Fenerbahçe Medicana Istanbul kicked off the season in spectacular fashion, clinching the Turkish Super Cup after an epic comeback, winning 18–16 in the tie-break against VakıfBank. The 31-year-old Polish middle blocker secured her first trophy with her new club.

“My first season in Türkiye started really well,” Korneluk said. “We won the Super Cup after a very tough match –  even though we were down 0–2 in sets, we managed to come back and win in the tie-break. So this season has begun on a high note for me and my team. We know that even tougher challenges lie ahead as we aim for the national championship, the Turkish Cup, and the Champions League title, so our goals are very high.”

Korneluk spent the last five seasons in Poland, playing for Chemik Police and DevelopRes Rzeszów. While her clubs dominated domestically, they struggled to achieve the same success on the international stage. Now, as one of the most decorated Polish players, she is set to begin the CEV ZEREN Group Champions League Volley 2026 season with ambitious goals.

“It’s something I really missed –  fighting to win the Champions League,” Korneluk explained. “Fenerbahçe is definitely a club with the ambition to win it, and we truly believe in that, working very hard toward it. The season is long, so many things can happen – these are long-term goals and matches, but each upcoming game, also in the domestic league, against strong opponents, will help our team grow and build confidence before the Champions League begins.”

In the past, Agnieszka Korneluk had the opportunity to play for Italian clubs Pomi Casalmaggiore and Savino Del Bene Scandicci. Now, having moved to Türkiye, she reflects on the transition: “The beginning wasn’t the easiest –  getting used to a new culture, new rules, a new club, and a new country meant a lot of changes after the past few years I spent in Poland. But the conditions and organization here at Fenerbahçe are excellent, which helped me adapt quickly, not only to the club but also to life in Türkiye and Istanbul.”

Although she has played in Türkiye before, Korneluk remains impressed by the fans: “There are huge crowds at every match, which I think is amazing. The supporters create an incredible atmosphere. I used to see it when playing against their teams, but now that they’re cheering for my team, it’s an incredibly uplifting feeling. Of course, the atmosphere is a bit different during national team matches compared to league games, but here it’s really inspiring –  I absolutely enjoy playing in front of full stands.”

Korneluk joined a star-studded Fenerbahçe squad, featuring players such as Eda Erdem Dündar, Melissa Vargas, Alessia Orro, Arina Fedorovtseva, and Hande Baladin –  and she is truly  thrilled to play alongside so many of the world’s top players: “Before, the girls I’m now playing with at the club were always on the other side of the net, except for Bojana Milenković, with whom I played both in Chemik Police and Savino, so we know each other well. It’s really nice to have someone familiar around at the beginning –  that’s definitely a great support. My teammates are some of the best players in the world, so the level of our training here is extremely high, and we can all keep improving. And as for Eda – she’s a legend, not only at this club but in Turkish volleyball as a whole. It’s truly an honor to be part of a team with her and the other players, rather than just playing against them.”

Together with the Polish national team, Agnieszka Korneluk enjoyed a successful summer, earning a third consecutive bronze medal at the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) and being named to the Dream Team as Best Middle Blocker. Later, at the World Championship in Thailand, Poland finished seventh after falling to eventual champions Italy in the quarterfinals.

“It’s not easy to sum up this season. Winning the VNL bronze medal for the third year in a row was definitely an incredible achievement – especially doing it in Poland, in a packed Atlas Arena. That’s something I’ll never forget, because my very first matches with the national team were also played there. I still remember the chills and emotions from that time, so earning another VNL medal in that arena is something that will stay with me forever”, Korneluk admitted. “The World Championship didn’t go the way we wanted,” she continued. “But looking back, we now know that Italy, who we faced along the way, were simply unbeatable – they’re the world and Olympic champions, so our path was extremely tough. In terms of performance, we were capable of more, but the truth is that you learn and gain experience from defeats. I hope this will bring valuable lessons for the national team in the next season.”

Like many athletes, Agnieszka Korneluk had always dreamed of competing at the Olympic Games, a dream she fulfilled last year in Paris. When asked about her next goals, she reflected: “My biggest dream was to play at the Olympic Games. Once we got there, I wanted more – I wanted a medal – but it didn’t happen. Now I’m focusing on my club goals: fighting in the Champions League and taking on new challenges here, such as fighting for the Turkish Championship and the Turkish Cup. These are short-term goals that are within reach, so my full focus is on that.”

Fenerbahçe Medicana ISTANBUL will begin their CEV ZEREN Group Champions League Volley 2026 campaign in Pool B on November 25, facing Sport LISBOA e Benfica, who advanced through the early rounds to make their debut in the group stage. Their other opponents will be Igor Gorgonzola NOVARA and PGE Budowlani ŁÓDŹ, where she played during the 2017/2018 season. “I’m happy that we’ll face a Polish club and that we’ll get to travel to Poland – to Łódź. We’ll be playing against a club where I used to play, so I think it’s going to be a really nice match,” she said. “As for the group, Novara are a very well-balanced and interesting team, as they’ve already shown, and I think they might be our toughest opponent. Of course, I know the Budowlani team very well, so that will be a special match for me. We were waiting to see who would qualify for the remaining spot – now we know it’s Sport Lisboa e Benfica. We’ll see how it all turns out, but I’m optimistic and can’t wait for the first matches.”