Perugia edge Las Palmas; Ziraat, Zawiercie, Warszawa deliver confident performances in #CLVolleyM

The fourth leg of the CEV Champions League Volley 2026 - Men continued on Wednesday with four high-stakes encounters, as the race toward the decisive phase of the pool stage intensified. In Pool A, Ziraat Bankkart Ankara, led by Nimir Abdel-Aziz, showed no mercy against ACH Volley Ljubljana, extending their perfect record to four wins and tightening their grip on top spot. A similar statement came in Pool D, where 2025 #CLVolleyM runners-up Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie, powered by unstoppable tonight Bartłomiej Bołądź, also claimed their fourth victory by defeating Sporting CP Lisboa in straight sets. In Pool E, PGE Projekt Warszawa secured a crucial second victory, beating in straight sets Montpellier HSC VB. With their new head coach at the helm, Warszawa played fearlessly, led by Bartosz Bednorz orchestrating the attack. While, in Pool C Sir Sicoma Monini Perugia prevailed 3-1 against Guaguas Las Palmas to extend their winning streak to fourth win with great performance of Oleh Plotnytskyi.

Pool A - Ziraat Bankkart ANKARA (TUR) vs ACH Volley LJUBLJANA (SLO) 3-0 (25-21, 25-21, 25-20) 

Ziraat Bankkart Ankara continue their perfect run in Pool A, recording their fourth consecutive victory with only one set dropped so far. The Turkish champions followed up their 3–0 win over ACH Volley in Ljubljana at the beginning of January with another convincing performance.

The opening set was evenly balanced until 8–7, when Ziraat stepped up their game and went on a decisive run to take a 16–10 lead. The hosts maintained their advantage and closed the set at 25–21. As usual, Nimir Abdel-Aziz led the way for Ziraat with five points in the first set, posting an impressive 56% attack efficiency. Tomasz Fornal added four points (one ace, one block, 50% positive reception), while Tonček Štern scored six points for ACH Volley (43% attack).

ACH Volley started the second set strongly and held a narrow lead for most of it, going up 16–13 and later 19–17. However, Ziraat turned the tide thanks to a powerful service run by Nimir Abdel-Aziz and a key block by Bedirhan Bülbül to level at 19–19. The Turkish side dominated the closing stages, pulling away to 23–20 and sealing the set 25–21 for a 2–0 lead.
Emre Savaş contributed five points for Ziraat in the second set (one block, 100% attack), while Štern again led ACH with five points. Ziraat recorded an excellent 69% positive reception, compared to just 25% for the visitors. The difference was also reflected in errors, with Ziraat committing only five, against 11 by ACH.

Ziraat maintained their momentum in the third set, imposing their rhythm with strong serving and solid defence to move ahead 7–4, 11–6 and 15–10. Although ACH Volley reduced the gap to 19–16, the hosts stayed in control and closed the match at 25–20 to complete a straight-sets victory.

Nimir Abdel-Aziz was named MVP after scoring 16 points (one ace, three blocks, 57% attack efficiency). Emre Savaş, Trevor Clevenot and Tomasz Fornal each added nine points for Ziraat, while Tonček Štern was the top scorer for ACH Volley with 16 points.

Pool D - Aluron CMC Warta ZAWIERCIE (POL) vs Sporting CP LISBOA (POR) 3-0 (25-21, 25-21, 25-22)

The Pool D clash at Arena Sosnowiec between group leaders and last season’s runners-up Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie and #CLVolleyM rookies Sporting CP Lisboa mirrored their first meeting, once again ending in straight sets. Despite the result, the Portuguese side set a bar high, being led by Edson Alberto Valencia González, who delivered another standout performance against  more experienced opponents. Zawiercie, as ever, relied on excellent teamwork, with Bartłomiej Bołądź and Aaron Russel spearheading the scoring effort to secure their fourth victory of the campaign. The win further strengthened their grip on top spot in the pool and moved them one step closer to a direct ticket to the quarterfinals.

A fierce rally ended with an attack from Valencia González opened the game, but Zawiercie responded immediately through a kill by Bartosz Bołądź, igniting a tight race marked by powerful spikes from both Russel and Valencia González. Both teams were solid at the net, with Sergey Grankin standing out with a spectacular solo block on Czerwiński. Zawiercie gradually began to build a slight edge from 10–8, gaining momentum after a Bołądź–Bieniek block on Pokersnik (14–11), which was further extended by an ace from Russel (15–11). Putting constant pressure from the service line and capitalizing on effective attacks by Bołądź and Russel - who scored 5 and 7 points respectively in the opening set - the hosts kept control of the score (19–14). The American outside hitter was closely watched by USA Volleyball head coach and legend Karch Kiraly, who was present at the venue. Lisboa fought hard to get back into the set, led by Valencia González (8 points), and narrowed the gap to 23–21 in the closing phase. However, Zawiercie held their nerve and closed the set 25–21.

Lisboa stayed motivated and ready to fight fiercely for every point from the start of the second set; however, Zawiercie held the upper hand early on (7–5). Bartłomiej Bołądź was the primary attacking option for Miguel Tavares in this set, delivering 6 points with an impressive 75% success rate. Playing almost flawlessly - committing only 4 unforced errors and showing near-perfect reception - the hosts kept full control of the situation on court. An ace from Tavares extended Zawiercie’s lead to 13–8. Even with a six-point deficit (16–10), Lisboa refused to drop their heads. With Lourenço Garcia Martins at the service line, they claimed three consecutive points, including an ace, but the momentum was quickly halted by the 2025 runners-up, who rebuilt their advantage to 20–15. In the final phase of the set, Lisboa once again tried to close the gap. A serving run by Kelton Tavares, combined with spikes from Galabov and Valencia Gonzalez, reduced the gap to 23–20. Once again, however, Zawiercie showed no signs of weakness. Led by Jakub Czerwiński, who became the driving force at the end of the set, the hosts scored the final two points to close it out 25–21.

The third set featured the most competitive opening of the match, with neither side allowing the opponent to build a two-point advantage up to 9–9, fueled by a series of successful attacks on both ends of the net. An ace from Jan Galabov then put Lisboa ahead 11–9, giving the visitors renewed hope of extending the match. Zawiercie responded quickly through powerful spikes from Bartosz Bołądź, but Lisboa continued to grow in confidence and worked effectively in block defense. Driven by Edson Alberto Valencia González and Lourenço Garcia Martins, who scored 6 and 5 points respectively, the visitors regained a two-point lead at 17–15, applying pressure on the hosts. Once again, the Zawiercie trio of Russel and Bołądź (5 and 7 points in the set), supported by Jakub Czerwiński (5), proved decisive as they leveled the score at 20–20. The tight race continued to the very end. An ace from Czerwiński earned match points, and the final touch belonged to Kyle Ensing, who had entered the court moments earlier, whose spike sealed the set and the match at 25-22.

MVP honors went to Bartłomiej Bołądź, who tallied 18 points, including one ace and 17 kills at an impressive 68% success rate (88% in the third set). Aaron Russel added 13 points, while Jakub Czerwiński contributed 10. A match-high 19 points from Edson Alberto Valencia González - highlighted by 17 kills at 74% success - was not enough for Lisboa against Zawiercie.

Pool E - PGE Projekt WARSZAWA (POL) vs MONTPELLIER HSC VB (FRA) 3-0 (28-26, 25-23, 25-20)

Wildcard holders MONTPELLIER HSC VB stunned PGE Projekt WARSZAWA earlier this month with a 3–2 home win, but Wednesday evening saw a different outcome. PGE Projekt Warszawa secured a hard-fought straight-sets victory to stay in the race for the next round. The Poles now sit second in Pool E with a 2–2 record, behind unbeaten leaders Cucine Lube Civitanova, while Montpellier are third with the same balance of 2-2 wins-losses.

The first set was a tense and thrilling back-and-forth contest. It started evenly at 4-4, then Montpellier edged slightly ahead 4-6, before Vincent Mathias scored an ace to make it 5-8. The French block was strong, forcing PGE Projekt Warszawa coach Kamil Nelepka to call a timeout. Warszawa responded, seizing points through attacking plays and equalizing 11-11 after a block by Semeniuk. The lead changed hands repeatedly: 12-11, 13-13, 14-13, 14-14, with Mathias showing smart play against the opponents’ block. Montpellier then led 14-16 and 15-16, while Warszawa’s play in the center became crucial. Scores continued to fluctuate: 17-17, 18-19, 19-19, before Montpellier’s setter - Matías Sanchez -  moved his team ahead 20-19. Projekt Warszawa fought back with Bartosz Bednorz0 scoring sharply to make it 21-21 and 22-22. A Polish ace from Jan Firlej gave them 23-22, then 24-22, followed by 24-24. Firlej again scored for 26-25, and after a fierce battle, Warszawa clinched the set 28-26.

Warszawa quickly found their rhythm in the second set, taking an early lead 7-6 and then 9-7. Some unforced errors by Montpellier gave the Polish side a breather, extending the advantage to 10-7. Warszawa continued to show precision and consistency, moving ahead 12-10, 14-11, and then 16-12. Montpellier fought back, keeping the score close at 19-17, but Warszawa maintained control, leading 21-17. The French side tried to stay in the set, closing the gap to 22-20 and 23-21, even saving the first set point at 24-23. However, strong determination and a bit of luck favored the Polish team, who ultimately closed out the set 25-23, taking a 2-0 lead in the match.

The third set began evenly, with the score moving from 1-1 to 4-4 and 9-9. Warszawa then started to edge ahead, leading 13-11, 15-14, and extending the gap to 16-14 and 17-15. The Polish side tightened their grip on the set at 19-16 and 20-16, with Yurii Semeniuk making a key contribution on the blockPoor reception from Montpellier increased the pressure, as the French side began to feel the tension and struggled defensively. Montpellier’s Simon Hirsch attempted to spark a comeback with a flying attack for 22-18, but Warszawa remained in control. The first match point came at 24-19, delivered by Linus Weber, who followed it up with a powerful serve. Montpellier managed to save one point at 24-20, but Kevin Tillie sealed the set 25-20, closing the match in Warszawa’s favor.

PGE Projekt Warszawa posted stronger numbers in attack (58% efficiency to 54%) and reception (50% to 43%). The Polish side also dominated at the net with seven blocks compared to Montpellier’s three, while the French team held the edge from the service line with six aces to four. Ultimately, Montpellier were undone by their own mistakes, committing 24 errors to Warszawa’s 10.

Bartosz Bednorz was named MVP and finished as the match’s top scorer with 19 points, recording a 64% attack efficiency, along with two blocks and one ace.

Pool C - Sir Sicoma Monini PERUGIA (ITA) vs Guaguas LAS PALMAS (ESP) 3–1 (26-24, 25-19, 21-25, 25-20)

Sir Sicoma Monini Perugia continued their strong run in Pool C of the CEV Champions League Volley 2026 with a hard-earned 3–1 victory over Guaguas Las Palmas on Wednesday evening at the Pala Barton. In their second Champions League meeting with the Spanish side, the defending champions combined patience and experience to overcome a resilient opponent in a match that demanded focus until the final point.

The opening set set the tone for a tightly contested evening. Guaguas showed no signs of intimidation, trading powerful rallies with the hosts and staying level deep into the set. Perugia, however, relied on their composure in the decisive moments. Strong work at the net and a late push from Oleh Plotnytskyi allowed the Italians to edge the set 26–24 and gain an important early advantage.

Perugia built on that momentum in the second set, raising their intensity from the service line and limiting Guaguas’ options in transition. With Simone Giannelli orchestrating the offence smoothly, the defending champions gradually pulled away and closed the set 25–19, appearing firmly in control of the match.

The visitors responded with character in the third set. Led by Osmany Juantorena and Nicolas Bruno, Guaguas increased their attacking efficiency and put Perugia under sustained pressure. Improved blocking and cleaner execution enabled the Spanish champions to take the set 25–21, cutting the deficit and keeping the contest alive.

Faced with a potential shift in momentum, Perugia regrouped in the fourth set. While Guaguas stayed competitive, a series of unforced errors at key moments proved costly. Perugia capitalised with disciplined side-out play and timely points in transition, closing the set 25–20 to seal the 3–1 win after 118 minutes.

Plotnytskyi was named MVP after another influential performance, finishing with 16 points and providing leadership in difficult phases. Reflecting on the match, he underlined the importance of unity. Juantorena and Bruno led Guaguas with 17 points apiece, once again underlining the Spanish side’s attacking quality.

With this victory, Sir Sicoma Monini Perugia remain firmly on course in Pool C, maintaining the consistency that has defined their Champions League campaign so far. Guaguas Las Palmas, despite the defeat, once again demonstrated their ability to challenge Europe’s elite and leave Perugia knowing they had been pushed throughout by a brave and well-organised opponent.