VakifBank, Scandicci, Eczacibasi, Dresdner cruise to convincing wins, Levallois comes from behind to secure a five-set victory
Recap
VakifBank ISTANBUL and Savino Del Bene SCANDICCI remain atop Pool A following straight-set victories over Volero LE CANNET and Alba BLAJ, respectively. Meanwhile, Eczacibasi Dynavit ISTANBUL secured second place in Pool C with a commanding win against OK Železničar LAJKOVAC. In Pool D, Dresdner SC moved into third position after defeating ŁKS Commercecon ŁÓDŹ. Finally, Wednesday’s action was capped off by a comeback from LEVALLOIS PARIS Saint Cloud, who overcame a 0-2 deficit to defeat SSC Palmberg SCHWERIN in an exciting five-set thriller.
Pool A: Volero LE CANNET (FRA) vs. VakifBank ISTANBUL (TUR) 0-3 (15-25, 17-25, 18-25)
Türkiye’s VakifBank Istanbul continued their victorious quest in Pool A with their fifth three-point win to stay on top of the table undefeated. They mastered a 3-0 (25-15, 25-17, 25-18) shutout of their French hosts Volero Le Cannet in Thursday’s match played at the La Palestre hall. Still, to secure a direct ticket to the quarterfinals, they will need to win at least two sets in their last remaining pool match next week at home against reigning club world champions Savino Del Bene Scandicci of Italy. Volero are in third place on a 1-4 win-loss record and three points and, to make sure they stay there, they will also have to chase winning at least two sets upon their visit to Romania’s Volei Alba Blaj on February 4.
VakifBank quickly established their domination on the court and stayed well in control throughout the first set. Russian outside hitter Marina Markova was on fire in attack and put away seven of her eight swings on the way to an emphatic 25-15 close, including the blistering kill for the winning point.
The French team, who played with a lot of precision during the first set, increased the number of unforced errors in the second to further help their Turkish visitors prevail again. VakifBank’s offense continued to work with great efficiency and they cruised to a 25-17 win. Markova brought in set point with an overpass kill and converted it herself with a successful block.
In set three, VakifBank’s Serbian star opposite Tijana Boskovic was on fire to put her team in the lead again. Gradually, Italian coach Giovanni Guidetti pulled most of his starters out of the court to give the others some playing time, but that did not change the situation on the court. In the money time, sub-in setter Sila Caliskan killed a ball on two to bring in match point, before French outside Héléna Cazaute finished the job with an off-the-block hit for 25-18.
Marina Markova registered an impressive 88% success rate in attack, fired three aces and put up two kill blocks towards a match-high total of 19 points and the MVP award. Tijana Boskovic spiked at an 82% success rate and raised two stuffs to finish with 16 points. Cazaute finished with 14, including one ace and also with a brilliant success rate of 72% in offense. 20-year-old Belarusian outside Liubou Svetnik was the only player to reach the double digits on Volero’s side. She put away three kill blocks and an ace towards a 10-point tally.
Marina Markova“It was very important to be focused on the court today and put in a lot of energy. Volero is a very ambitious team. They are very young and very keen, but we were able to stop them. I think our serving was very good today, including mine, and, then, it was easier to work the block-defense system.”
Outside hitter of VakifBank Istanbul and match MVP
Giovanni Guidetti“I'm happy with my players. They came here with goals, they were sticking to those goals, and we're looking ahead to the next game. It's very important to be top of our group.”
Head coach of VakifBank Istanbul
Héléna Cazaute“It was important for us to take three points this evening, so it's great to have done that because the goal is to finish top of the pool. Now we have the match against Scandicci next week, which will be very important.”
Outside hitter of VakifBank Istanbul
Marco Fenoglio“The result was normal. I think if we played 10 times, we would always end up like this. For us, it was a good opportunity to train at a high level in preparation for next Saturday's game against Mulhouse.”
Head coach of Volero Le Cannet
Pool A - CS Volei Alba BLAJ (ROU) vs Savino Del Bene SCANDICCI (ITA) 0-3 (19-25, 19-25, 21-25)
Savino Del Bene Scandicci recorded a confident fourth victory in Pool A of the CEV ZEREN Group Champions League Women, thereby securing a place among the top two teams in the group. Despite resting several key players – Maja Ognjenović, Ekaterina Antropova, Caterina Bosetti and Camilla Weitzel – head coach Marco Gaspari’s side delivered another convincing performance.
It was the second Champions League meeting between CS Volei Alba Blaj and Savino Del Bene Scandicci, following their first encounter in Florence, which also ended in a straight-sets win for the Italian side.
From the very start, Savino Del Bene justified their role as favourites, racing to an early 5-1 lead, extending it to 9-2 and 15-9. Alba tried to respond, closing the gap to 18-14, but the visitors quickly restored control and sealed the opening set 25-19. Lindsey Ruddins led Scandicci in the first set with eight points (one block, 54% in attack), while Linda Nkiruka Nwakalor added five points, including four blocks. For Alba, Viktoria Ana Trcol and Ariana-Cristiana Pirv were the most effective with four points each.
The second set followed a similar pattern. Savino Del Bene quickly moved ahead (5-2, 10-4, 14-7, 21-14) and claimed the set 25-19 to take a 2-0 lead. Nwakalor once again contributed five points, including four blocks, bringing her total to eight blocks after two sets. Ruddins added another five points, while Drussyla Andressa Felix Costa led Alba with six points and an impressive 67% attack efficiency.
Savino Del Bene continued in the same rhythm in the third set, opening with a 2-0 and then extending the lead to 10-3 and 16-12. Alba fought back to 16-15, but the Italian side responded with a 3-0 run to regain control. Although the hosts reduced the deficit to 21-19, Savino Del Bene calmly closed out the set 25-21 to secure a straight-sets victory.
Linda Nwakalor was named MVP of the match after an outstanding performance, finishing with 12 points, including an impressive 10 blocks and 67% attacking efficiency. Lindsey Ruddins was the top scorer for Scandicci with 15 points (one ace, one block, 52% in attack). For Alba, Drussyla Andressa Felix Costa was the most effective player of the match with 16 points (63% positive reception, 57% attack efficiency).
Savino Del Bene Scandicci will travel to Istanbul in the final round to face VakifBank, with first place in Pool A on the line.
Linda Nkiruka Nwakalor“I think we played really well, especially considering how important this match was for us in the race for first place in the group. That’s why I’m happy, and now we’re looking forward to the derby in Istanbul. We know what needs to be done and we’ll try to achieve it.”
Middle Blocker of Savino Del Bene Scandicci, MVP of the match
The multiple Turkish champions and CEV Champions League contenders lived up to their favourite status against the Serbian champions and debutants in Europe’s elite competition, recording their fourth victory in Pool C. With the win in Lajkovac, Eczacıbaşı remained in second place in the standings, just one point behind Numia Vero Volley Milano. Their head-to-head clash next Wednesday in Milan will decide the top spot in Pool C.
Eczacıbaşı imposed their rhythm from the very start, taking an early 8-3 lead in the opening set. Their dominance continued as the margin grew to 16-6 and 21-12, before closing the set comfortably at 25-15. Magdalena Stysiak scored five points, while Ebrar Karakurt (one ace) and Emily Maglio (two blocks) added four points each for the Turkish side. Milena Koprivica led Železničar with four points.
The second set followed a similar pattern, with Eczacıbaşı again in control at 8-3, 16-10 and 21-12, eventually taking it 25-16 for a 2-0 lead. Stysiak and Yaprak Erkek contributed five points each for Eczacıbaşı, with Erkek securing one ace and one block. Koprivica once again led the Serbian team with four points (one ace, two blocks).
Eczacıbaşı maintained their dominance in the third set as well, opening up a 7-3 lead, then extending it to 10-5 and 12-10. A four-point run pushed the score to 16-10, and soon after to 20-12, before the visitors sealed the match at 25-17 for a straight-sets victory.
Dilay Özdemir was named MVP of the match. The Eczacıbaşı setter orchestrated her team’s play brilliantly and contributed three points, including two blocks. Magdalena Stysiak finished with 13 points (one block, 57% attack efficiency), while Emily Maglio added 12 points (five blocks, 64% in attack). For OK Železničar, Milena Koprivica recorded nine points (four blocks, one ace).
Dilay Özdemir“I would like to thank my teammates, because without them this award wouldn’t be possible. I’m very happy, as this is my first time in Serbia and to receive this recognition here is wonderful. We played very well as a team. I’m proud and confident that hard work pays off. We will continue in the same rhythm."
Eczacibasi Dynavit ISTANBUL Setter, MVP of the match
Giulio Bregoli“We are really happy. We started really well, the team was very focused on the match, and then after that we lost a little bit of focus and concentration on some small details. But okay, of course, we played a good match. Now we can focus on the next one in our national league. Today’s match was really important for us because of the ranking. Now we have the same number of victories as Milano, so the team that wins the match in Italy will finish in first position.”
Head coach of Eczacibasi
Dragana Korolija“Congratulations to the Turkish team on their victory — they justified their role as favourites. I also congratulate my girls on an outstanding fight; we put up strong resistance. Another wonderful experience, and I would like to thank the fans for the amazing atmosphere and for coming in such great numbers.”
Outside Hitter OK Zeleznicar
Ratko Pavlicevic“We played another match against Eczacıbaşı. We know they are a very strong team, and playing against them is never easy. However, the girls really showed the energy that was needed. I think we managed to get closer to their level of play, but unfortunately we lacked efficiency in finishing, which is exactly the strength of teams like Eczacıbaşı. Overall, I am satisfied, but the most important thing of all is that the girls showed a positive attitude.”
Head Coach of OK Zeleznicar Lajkovac
Pool D - DRESDNER SC (GER) vs ŁKS Commercecon ŁÓDŹ (POL) 3-0 (25-18, 25-19, 26-24)
DRESDNER SC took a decisive step towards prolonging their European season on Wednesday evening, delivering a confident 3-0 home victory over ŁKS Commercecon Łódź in Pool D of the CEV ZEREN Group Champions League Volley 2026. Playing at the Margon Arena, the German side combined discipline and patience to overcome their Polish rivals and claim their second win of the campaign.
With third place in the pool and a pathway to the CEV Cup quarterfinals firmly in mind, Dresdner SC started the match with clarity and control. They dictated the tempo in the opening set, serving aggressively and limiting Łódź’s attacking options, before pulling away to take it 25-18. Jette Kuipers was immediately influential from the beginning, while the home team’s reception held up well under pressure.
The hosts carried that momentum into the second set, once again staying composed in longer rallies and capitalising on key moments. ŁKS attempted to respond through Mariana Brambilla, but Dresdner’s organisation at the net and cleaner execution proved decisive, as they closed the set 25-19 to move within one of a straight-sets win.
Łódź saved their strongest resistance for the third set, engaging the crowd with a tight and tense battle. The Polish side stayed level deep into the set and briefly threatened to extend the match, but Dresdner SC showed maturity in the closing exchanges. Kuipers stepped up once more, and the Germans sealed the contest 26-24 to secure all three points.
Kuipers finished as top scorer with 14 points and was deservedly named MVP after another assured performance. Reflecting on the result, she highlighted the collective effort. Marta Kamelija Levinska and Mette Marleen Pfeffer added 12 points for the winners, while Brambilla led ŁKS with 13.
The result strengthens DRESDNER SC’s position in Pool D ahead of a demanding final round, while ŁKS Commercecon Łódź leave Dresden knowing missed chances in the closing stages ultimately proved costly in a match of high stakes and fine margins.
Jette Kuipers“I am really proud of our team. We supplied what we needed today and took an important step forward. Now we can focus on what’s next.”
Player of DRESDNER SC
Patricia Nestler“I am really happy that we won so convincingly, 3-0. We played very, very clean Volleyball today. So what we set out to do really worked out well. Yes, we slackened off a bit in the third set, in terms of concentration. But I'm very happy that we pulled through in the end and that there was a great atmosphere in the hall today. So it was a great game.”
Libero of DRESDNER SC
Alexander Waibl“There was a lot at stake because we needed to take the points to make sure that we can continue our journey in the European Cup competitions. We played against a very experienced team from Lodz and started very bad, making a lot of mistakes. But then we took control and with this incredible crowd here we won 3-0 against a good opponent team from Poland. Now we are enjoying just this evening and looking forward to our next matches.”
Head coach of DRESDNER SC
Adrian Chylinski“We played at a level so that we could put up a fight and unfortunately at the end of the first set we made some crucial mistakes. We have been having some issues, since we had three outside hitters that we couldn't rotate, and it was the first full game for our opposite after her knee injury. We don't have the second opposite right now, so we missed a little bit the quality. We are also in a tough moment playing every three days, so maybe we couldn't fight a little bit more.”
Head coach of ŁKS Commercecon ŁÓDŹ
Pool E - LEVALLOIS PARIS Saint Cloud (FRA) vs SSC Palmberg SCHWERIN (GER) 3-2 (21-25, 25-27, 25-23, 25-21, 15-9)
LEVALLOIS PARIS Saint Cloud claimed their second #CLVolleyW win in front of full house at the Sports Palace Marcel Cerdan. The players around head coach Alessandro Orefice delivered a great comeback against the German champions SSC Palmberg Schwerin - after being behind two sets, the French showed a great will to win and turned the tables for 3-2.
The opening set was a tense battle, with both teams showing strong defensive work. Paris fought hard, keeping the score close through smart net plays and solid block-defence, but Schwerin gradually edged ahead. Key moments included Palmberg converting a break point after 19-18 and their middle hitter Marije ten Brinke scoring crucial points to maintain the lead. Paris continued to push, but the experience of the German champions showed through in the tight, nerve-wracking rallies. Schwerin’s Anna Artyshuk played consistently, earning the team their first set point, which was ultimately sealed by an ace from Helena Kok, giving Schwerin the set 25-21.
The second set saw both teams trading early points, starting at 3-3, then 3-4, before Schwerin pulled ahead 3-6 thanks to stronger attacking in the first minutes. The set quickly became a battle of defence and strategy, with the score levelling at 8-8 after some thrilling rallies that had the fans on their feet. Paris regained a small advantage, leading 9-8, then 10-8, and extending it to 12-10 and 15-14, showing resilience in every play. Levallois maintained a slight edge at 17-15 and 18-15. Schwerin fought back, bringing the score to 23-23, before an error gave Paris a temporary lead. Ultimately, Schwerin’s attacking firepower shone through, with Kok delivering a brilliant attack from zone 6, and the Germans narrowly took the set 27-25 in a thrilling finish.
The third set opened evenly at 3-3 before Levallois Paris Saint Cloud began to build momentum, moving ahead 12-9 and then 17-14, clearly aiming to bring the intrigue back into the match. Paris continued to control the tempo, extending their lead to 20-15, but Schwerin responded with a strong serve run by Annegret Hölzig, closing the gap to 20-18 and then 20-19. The German side equalised at 20-20 after a successful block, taking advantage of a drop in Paris’ attacking sharpness, with Hölzig still at the service line. Levallois reacted well, scoring two points in a row as their first-tempo attacks started to click again. The set reached 24-23, and Paris sealed it 25-23, pulling themselves back into the game and keeping the match alive.
The fourth set began evenly at 2-2 before Levallois Paris Saint Cloud gradually took control. The French side moved ahead 8-5 and continued to build momentum, extending their lead to 15-9. Schwerin attempted to respond, narrowing the gap to 19-15 and later to 21-19, but Paris remained composed in the crucial moments. Maintaining their focus, Levallois pushed on to 23-21 and closed out the set, forcing the match into a decisive tiebreak.
The deciding set opened with a tight exchange of points, moving from 2-1 to 2-3, then 4-4 and 5-5, with neither team able to seize control. The tension was palpable at 6-6, when an unforced attacking error by Schwerin shifted momentum. Germany’s Hölzig briefly restored calm for the visitors, but Paris edged ahead, leading 8-7 at the changeover. From there, Levallois Paris Saint Cloud took command, showing excellent block-defence and finishing their attacks with authority to move ahead 10-7. The hosts continued to build their advantage to 12-9 and then 14-9, before a spectacular rally brought the match to a close, as Levallois sealed their second victory in the competition (15-9).
Statistically, Les Mariannes outperformed their opponents in attacking (71 to 59 winning spikes, 38% to 34% exc. in attack), and recorded more aces (four to three). The Germans, on the other hand, were more successful on the blocking side (14 to 13 kill blocks).
Magdalena Bukovska of the winners’ team topped the charts with 25 points to her name, but it was her teammate Nika Milošič who grabbed the MVP award (21 points, 78% exc. in attack, six kill blocks, one ace).
Nika Milošič“This was a very tough match. We showed great character to come back, and I’m incredibly proud of the team - we have grown so much. The first time we played them we lost 1-3, but today we fought until the very last point, and this time we made it.”
MVP and player of LEVALLOIS PARIS Saint Cloud
Alessandro Orefice“Our team tonight made a really huge step. We have grown so much from match to match. We did show our character, we believed in ourselves and we executed our game plan and tactics very well, that is for sure.”
Head coach of LEVALLOIS PARIS Saint Cloud
Felix Koslowski“I think it was a good game. Both sides were really organised and gave each other a really hard time to score. We had a really good rhythm for the first two sets. In set 3 and 4, Paris changed their line up, they gave a new input and they definitely had the momentum on their side. I still have to congratulate my players for this amazing fight.”
Head coach of SSC Palmberg SCHWERIN
Annegret Hölzig“I think we started well, we were aggressive and won the first two sets. We lost track at the beginning of sets 3 and 4 and were always running behind. Paris, on the other hand, they had great blocks and made a lot of points.”
Player of SSC Palmberg SCHWERIN