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Transfer market
Modena: Maar track for the post-Davyskiba era; Anzani’s future also on the table
MODENA – According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Valsa Group Modena have already started planning for next season, with the first key point being the replacement of Vlad Davyskiba, reportedly on his way out with Russia as the likely destination.
After taking note of Oleh Plotnytskyi’s decision to stay in Perugia, the club would have shifted its focus to Stephen Maar, the Canadian outside hitter currently at Galatasaray. Despite having another year on his contract in Turkey, the report describes the option as concrete, although the contractual tie with Galatasaray remains an obstacle to overcome.
The same source keeps the Simone Anzani situation open as well. The middle blocker, used sparingly this season, could consider a change of environment; among the interested clubs, Gazzetta mentions Rana Verona.
Trento: Adriano Xavier linked to Itas on a two-year deal
BRAZIL – Market rumours coming from Brazil are gaining traction abroad: Polish journalist Jakub Balcerzak reports that Brazilian talent Adriano Xavier has signed a two-year contract with Itas Trentino for the coming seasons.
There is no official confirmation from the club at this stage, but the information shared on social media points to a deal already defined on a two-year basis. If formalised, the move would add a young, high-upside profile to Trentino’s technical project, at a time when the international market is beginning to move with conviction for 2026/27.
Born in 2002, Xavier currently plays for Vôlei Renata/Campinas, a team that also features Olympic champion Bruno Mossa De Rezende.
Modena (women’s A2): Pool Relegation with an extra Barakova
MODENA – Volley Modena are approaching their debut in the women’s Serie A2 Pool Relegation. The yellow-and-blue side will open on Saturday afternoon in Viadana, the home venue of E’Più Casalmaggiore, who are chasing a difficult survival bid.
The two teams will look different compared to recent weeks, especially Volley Modena, where changes are arriving quickly. The roster adds Bulgarian opposite Elitsa Barakova, 29, 1.85m, for whom the club has started an urgent registration procedure after signing her from V.C. Dragoman, a very new club from the Municipality of Dragoman (Sofia province), active for only two years.
Barakova also brings international experience, having played three seasons ago in France with Calais, and over the last two seasons with Bulgarian club Deya Volley.
On the other hand, middle blocker Chiara Marinucci will no longer be with the team: she terminated her contract in recent days to move to B1 with San Giovanni Valdarno.
Meanwhile, the club says the ongoing issue regarding the availability of PalaMadiba is close to resolution: two of the three overlapping dates have been solved, but the final complication—related to the last weekend of February—still needs a fix.
European Cups
Men – Champions League: Perugia beat Las Palmas 3–1 and stay alone on top of Pool C
1st matchday of the return round – Pool C
SIR SICOMA MONINI PERUGIA – GUAGUAS LAS PALMAS (ESP) 3–1 (26–24, 25–19, 21–25, 25–20)
PERUGIA – Sir Sicoma Monini Perugia confirmed their European consistency and, as in the first leg in the Canaries, defeated Guaguas Las Palmas 3–1 to remain alone at the top of Pool C. The Block Devils collected full points to reach 11, moving three points clear of Berlin after a match that was intense and at times hard-fought.
Set one went to extra points (26–24) after constant swings: Perugia tried to break it open with serve and block, the Spaniards responded through pressure from the line and side-out quality. The difference in the end came from Oleh Plotnytskyi, who sealed the key play with a block. In the second set, the hosts raised the tempo, found steadier attacking rhythm and more bite from the line, building the margin to 25–19.
Las Palmas answered in the third: a strong start, a significant lead, and—despite Perugia’s attempt to close back in through block and transition—an eventual 21–25 to keep the match alive. Perugia then regained control in the fourth, stayed level early, and created the decisive separation through their middles and a solid break phase to close 25–20.
Giannelli spread the offence into double figures across multiple options: Plotnytskyi was named MVP with 16 points (2 aces, 1 block), Ben Tara added 16, Ishikawa and Loser finished on 12 (Loser with 5 blocks), and Russo scored 10. Gaggini featured in defence. Overall, Perugia closed with 49% in attack, 10 blocks and 6 aces.
Women – Champions League: Scandicci rotate, still win 3–0 in Blaj; 10 blocks for Nwakalor
Pool A – Matchday 5
CS Volei Alba BLAJ – Savino Del Bene SCANDICCI 0–3 (19–25, 19–25, 21–25)
BLAJ (Romania) – Mission accomplished for Savino Del Bene Scandicci, who swept CS Volei Alba Blaj 3–0 in 71 minutes and secured a significant Champions League win.
Alba Blaj’s Felix Costa was top scorer with 16. Scandicci’s offence was well distributed: Ruddins 15, Linda Nwakalor 12, Skinner 11, Franklin 10. On serve, Alba Blaj’s Ariana Cristina Pirv recorded two aces; in reception, Felix Costa stood out again with 40% perfect.
The match turned on blocking: Scandicci posted 13 team blocks to Alba Blaj’s 8, with Linda Nwakalor producing a standout 10 kill blocks. Scandicci hit 51% to the hosts’ 45%; reception favoured Alba Blaj (65% positive vs 51%), while the ace count was 3–1 for the Romanian side.
The game also allowed significant rotation by Marco Gaspari after the Coppa Italia workload: Bosetti, Ognjenovic, Mancini, Antropova and Weitzel were rested. Scandicci started with Bechis setting and Ruddins opposite, Skinner and Franklin outside, Graziani and Nwakalor in the middle, and Brenda Castillo at libero. Beyond Nwakalor’s blocking, Ruddins hit 52% and Franklin 50%. For Alba Blaj, Otcuparu impressed (8/10, 80%, no errors, no blocks against) and Felix Costa finished 16/28 (57%, 4 errors).
With the win, Scandicci moved to four victories in five matches, one loss and 12 points, drawing level with Giovanni Guidetti’s VakifBank Istanbul, who still have to play their fifth match against Volero Le Cannet. That result will determine whether the February 4 head-to-head in the last round carries decisive weight in the race for first place.
Men – CEV Cup: Piacenza beat Soria 3–1 and move into the Playoff Round
Round of 16 – 2nd leg
GAS SALES BLUENERGY PIACENZA – RIO DUERO SORIA (ESP) 3–1 (25–20, 25–20, 27–29, 25–19)
PIACENZA – Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza achieved their target at PalabancaSport, beating Rio Duero Soria 3–1, taking the first two sets needed to secure qualification and earning a place in the Playoff Round. The job was effectively done in the opening two sets; the third slipped away in extra points after line-up changes, before Piacenza regained control in the fourth to close the match.
With qualification already secured, Boninfante rotated: Travica–Leon started in the diagonal, and Andringa replaced Gutierrez. Soria took advantage in the third set, but Piacenza finished the work in the fourth. Leon and Bergmann led the winners with 13 each; for Soria, Moreno scored 15 and Hoyos 13.
Piacenza now await the Playoff Round opponent: the winner of Akaa Volley vs Jsw Jastrzebski Wegiel. Jastrzebski won 3–1 in Finland, and the return is played tomorrow in Poland. The Playoff Round comes before the quarter-finals, which will also include four teams dropping down from the Champions League group stage.
Boninfante summed it up after the match: “The guys approached the match very well. It’s a pity about the slow start in the third set, those are things I don’t want to see again. We had the chance to rotate a bit. Playing one extra set allowed those who play less to stay on court longer. The objective of going through is achieved, and that’s the most important thing right now.” (Dante Boninfante)
Women – CEV Cup: Chieri win 3–0 in Bielsko-Biala and take advantage in the Playoffs
CEV Cup – Playoff, first leg
BKS Bostik BIELSKO-BIALA – Reale Mutua Fenera CHIERI ’76 0–3 (13–25, 21–25, 22–25)
BIELSKO-BIALA (Poland) – Reale Mutua Fenera Chieri ’76 steered the first leg of the CEV Cup Playoff with a clean 0–3 win in Poland in 1h09’. Nicola Negro started Dambrink and Alberti in place of Nemeth and Gray, and the visitors immediately found rhythm—especially in a first set that never became competitive.
Chieri broke away from 6–6 in set one behind Kunzler’s attacking and Alberti’s block, built a double-digit margin and closed 13–25 with Degradi’s ace. Set two was more balanced, with Bielsko-Biala leading 15–11 before Chieri’s comeback to 15–15 (also built off Alberti’s serving). In the final stretch, Kunzler’s ace and Alberti’s block sealed 21–25.
In set three, the hosts made changes (Kecman and Podlaska) and led 7–4, but Chieri levelled at 15–15 and moved ahead through Dambrink’s attacks (15–17), closing 22–25 on an opponent error after earning two match points.
MVP and top scorer was Kunzler with 15; Cekulaev also reached double figures (10, including 4 blocks). Negro highlighted the keys: “A clear win that allows us to prepare more calmly for the return in Turin. We started very well, playing an excellent first set, with our block-defence working very well. In the second and third sets we were a bit more disorganised and gave their attackers a bit more, but fortunately we always found the right solutions in the final points to close it 3–0.” (Nicola Negro)
The return leg is scheduled for Wednesday, February 4 (8:00 PM) at Pala Gianni Asti in Turin.
Women – Challenge Cup: Vallefoglia win 3–0 in Las Palmas, semi-final within reach
Challenge Cup – Quarter-final, first leg
Emalsa GRAN CANARIA – Megabox group VALLEFOGLIA 0–3 (21–25, 20–25, 17–25)
LAS PALMAS (Spain) – Megabox Ondulati del Savio Vallefoglia swept Emalsa Gran Canaria 3–0 away in the first leg of the Challenge Cup quarter-final: an orderly, continuous performance, always in control despite the hosts’ persistence and a lively arena. The result is significant for the return leg: on Wednesday, February 4 (8:00 PM) at PalaMegabox in Pesaro, Vallefoglia will need to win two sets to advance to the semi-finals.
Men – CEV Cup: Karlovarsko knock out Olympiacos; Fenerbahçe and Piacenza also through
MODENA – The list of teams qualified for the 2025/26 men’s CEV Cup playoffs is now complete. After Alterna Poitiers and Friedrichshafen advanced via Golden Set, five more teams secured qualification without major surprises.
Orion Stars Doetinchem repeated their first-leg win by beating CSM Corona Brasov 3–0 in Romania (31–33, 23–25, 23–25). Wouter Ter Maat (11) and Péter Boldizsár (10, 70% in attack, 2 aces, 1 block) led the way.
In Istanbul, Fenerbahçe Medicana confirmed their strength with a 3–0 win over OK Alpacem Kanal (25–19, 25–21, 25–18), after winning 3–1 away. Adis Lagumdzija and Earvin Ngapeth scored 14 each, with Luka Marttila also in double figures (11).
ČEZ Karlovarsko completed the job after their 3–1 first-leg win in Greece by beating Olympiacos Piraeus at the tie-break (17–25, 25–21, 24–26, 25–17, 15–9). Marko Sedlaček, on his debut after separating from Cuneo, scored 18; Atanasijevic added 20. Despite that, the Greeks were eliminated by Karlovarsko’s solidity, led by Victor Rodriguez as top scorer for the Czechs with 19 (63% and 3 blocks).
Greenyard Maaseik also progressed: after a 3–1 win in Turkey, they swept ON Hotels Alanya Bld 3–0 at home (25–18, 26–24, 25–20), with Canadian Steven Marshall producing 14 points (58% attack, 3 blocks).
Finally, Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza advanced as well, completing their Round of 16 tie against Río Duero Soria with a 3–1 home win after taking the first leg in Spain. The Round of 16 closes on Thursday, January 29 with Jastrzebski Wegiel vs Akaa Volley, the last match before the playoff draw.
Men – Challenge Cup: Milano already through; three Golden Sets to complete the quarter-final field
MODENA – A decisive night in the 2025/26 Challenge Cup: after Allianz Milano’s qualification (two straight 3–0 wins over Crvena Zvezda Beograd), five more teams booked quarter-final spots, with three ties decided only by Golden Set.
In İzmir, Altekma SK levelled the tie with a 3–2 win over Benfica (19–25, 25–19, 25–20, 22–25, 15–11) and then took the Golden Set 15–13. Ibrahim Lawani starred with 29 (60% attack, 4 blocks), supported by Jordan Ewert (21). The Turks also made a major impact at the net with 20 block points overall.
In Romania, SCM Zalău overturned Volley Näfels with a 3–0 win (25–21, 25–19, 25–22) and then won the Golden Set 15–11, led by Rene Teppan (18, 57% attack, 3 aces).
In Chaumont, Maccabi Tel Aviv completed the comeback after a 3–1 first-leg result by winning 3–0 in France (25–22, 25–22, 25–18) and then edging the Golden Set 19–17. Salvador Hidalgo Oliva scored 22, with strong contributions from Batchkala (17, 7 blocks), Bisset Astengo (15) and Bartos (11). Chaumont had opportunities in the decider but could not close.
VK Slovan Bratislava also went through: after a 3–2 first-leg win, they won 3–1 away against Dukla Liberec (25–21, 20–25, 22–25, 24–26). Five players reached double figures, led by Peter Mlynarcik (18) and Michal Trubac (15).
Lindemans Aalst completed the quarter-final lineup: they lost 2–3 at home to Bigbank Tartu (25–27, 25–15, 25–22, 25–27, 9–15) but still advanced thanks to their 3–1 first-leg win in Estonia. For Tartu, Enrique Rempel scored 26, while Aalst secured the overall objective.
International
USA: Jordan Thompson says: “We were attacked by ICE during a peaceful protest in Minneapolis”
MINNEAPOLIS (Minnesota) – American opposite Jordan Thompson said she joined a demonstration in her hometown against ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) operations in Minnesota, but the protest turned into what she described as a traumatic experience: federal agents allegedly threw flash-bang grenades at peaceful demonstrators, including Thompson, her sister and her stepmother.
Thompson (born 1997 in Edina, Minnesota) is also well known in Italy, having played for Vero Volley Monza and for top clubs worldwide including Fenerbahçe, Eczacıbaşı and VakifBank. With the USA national team she won Olympic gold at Tokyo 2020, silver at Paris 2024, and two Volleyball Nations League titles.
In recent days, attention has focused not on her sporting results but on her public stance. “I couldn’t stay silent,” she said in a long interview with Athletes Unlimited, explaining she felt compelled to speak out against violence and fear affecting local communities during ICE raids.
“It’s about my home,” Thompson said. “My brother works at one of the restaurants targeted by agents, and my sister has friends who carry documents out of fear of being stopped, even if they are American citizens. It’s unjust. And for those who are here without documents, I can’t condemn them: they are just trying to build a better life for themselves and their families. Punishing them for that, in a country built by slaves and immigrants, is hypocrisy.” (Jordan Thompson)
She described the moment the situation escalated: “We were on the opposite sidewalk from the Whipple Building, where ICE has its base. No one crossed the street or approached the agents. After about 45 minutes, without any warning, they started running at us throwing flash-bangs. They chased people to their cars and arrested someone. I have no words.”
In an Instagram post, she added: “This is America. Things are real and frightening. We have to wake up. We have to speak. Agents never asked us to leave or be quiet: one moment there were only two cars, the next there were dozens of agents running toward us throwing grenades.”
Thompson also addressed the role of athletes: “We’re often told to be quiet, not to do politics. But if I can play today, it’s because someone protested for women’s rights. Human rights are not politics, they are what truly matters. I have a platform, and I feel the duty to use it to amplify voices that are not heard.” (Jordan Thompson)
VNL 2026: host cities and pools for the intercontinental phase
MODENA – After the anticipations that circulated overnight on social media, FIVB officially confirmed the host cities and pool composition for the intercontinental phase of the Volleyball Nations League 2026.
Women
Week 1 (June 3–7): Quebec City (Canada), Brasilia (Brazil), Nanjing (China)
Week 2 (June 17–21): Ankara (Turkey), Philippines (TBD), Thailand (TBD)
Week 3 (July 8–12): Belgrade (Serbia), Hong Kong (China), Kansai (Japan)
Italy’s women’s national team—reigning world champions and holders of the VNL 2024 and 2025 titles—will play Week 1 in Brasilia, Week 2 in the Philippines, and Week 3 in Hong Kong.
Women’s Finals: July 22–26, Macao (China)
Women – Week 1 pools
Quebec City, Canada: Canada, USA, France, Japan, Ukraine, Germany
Brasilia, Brazil: Brazil, Italy, Netherlands, Turkey, Dominican Republic, Bulgari
Nanjing, China: China, Serbia, Belgium, Poland, Thailand, Czech Republic
Women – Week 2 pools
Ankara, Turkey: Turkey, Brazil, France, Belgium, Germany, China
TBD, Philippines: Japan, Italy, USA, Serbia, Dominican Republic, Czech Republic
TBD, Thailand: Thailand, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Canada, Netherlands, Poland
Women – Week 3 pools
Belgrade, Serbia: Serbia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Netherlands, Germany
Hong Kong, China: China, Italy, Ukraine, Canada, Belgium, Dominican Republic
Kansai, Japan: Japan, Turkey, Brazil, USA, Poland, Thailand
Men
Week 1 (June 10–14): Ottawa (Canada), Brasilia (Brazil), Linyi (China)
Week 2 (June 24–28): Orléans (France), Gliwice (Poland), Ljubljana (Slovenia)
Week 3 (July 15–19): Belgrade (Serbia), Chicago (USA), Kansai (Japan)
Italy’s men’s national team—reigning world champions (silver in the latest men’s VNL)—will begin in Ottawa, continue in Ljubljana and finish in Kansai.
Men’s Finals: July 29–August 2, Ningbo (China)
Men – Week 1 pools
Ottawa, Canada: Canada, Germany, Italy, USA, Turkey, France
Brasilia, Brazil: Brazil, Argentina, Bulgaria, Serbia, Belgium, Iran
Linyi, China: China, Cuba, Slovenia, Ukraine, Poland, Japan
Men – Week 2 pools
Orléans, France: France, USA, Serbia, Japan, Iran, Cuba
Gliwice, Poland: Poland, Argentina, Germany, Belgium, Turkey, China
Ljubljana, Slovenia: Slovenia, Italy, Canada, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Brazil
Men – Week 3 pools
Belgrade, Serbia: Serbia, Slovenia, Germany, Iran, Turkey, Ukraine
Chicago, USA: USA, France, Brazil, Poland, China, Bulgaria
Kansai, Japan: Japan, Italy, Canada, Argentina, Belgium, Cuba
Civitanova – post-Champions League: Medei’s focus on “the cleanest result possible”
CIVITANOVA – After the 3–0 win over Leuven, Cucine Lube Civitanova reiterated what matters most in the Champions League format: not just winning, but winning as cleanly as possible. Head coach Giampaolo Medei stressed the point, also praising the approach in a match where the main risk, in his view, is losing sharpness. “It was important to win. I’m happy we did it in three sets because, with the Champions League format, it’s crucial to always get the best possible result. I’m happy the guys approached the match the right way, because relaxing can happen in these situations and then you risk wasting opportunities.”
Medei also spoke about rotations and minutes for those who had played less: “It was an opportunity to give some court time to players who had less of it. Orduna perhaps didn’t need it because he’s an excellent setter and a great worker who helps every day, but it was right to give him time to find rhythm because we need everyone over a season.” He added: “I’m happy for Duflos-Rossi, who had little space as he is very young. He responded, like Tenorio and Bisotto. It was a positive night.”
Looking ahead: “Now we have to use the four days before the Verona match to work and fix technical issues. When we struggle, we have trouble getting out of it, and I think technical work helps. Improving some aspects helps: we have to focus on that and arrive in the best condition to try to get a useful result.”
Setter Santiago Orduna said the team learned the unusual starting six only right before the match: “We found out about the different line-up shortly before the match, in the meeting that preceded it. Coach Medei told us the starting formation and we made sure we were ready.” He also stated the European target: “Our goal is to win every match in the group. We work every day for that. Finishing first in Pool E with a perfect score would be very important.”
Then the focus shifts back to SuperLega: “Now it’s time for the league. We have a tough away match in Verona, against a team that plays very well at home. I’m confident the team will ignite in a hot atmosphere. We’ll do everything to get a good result and climb the standings.”
Libero Francesco Bisotto linked the performance to the aggressive start and the hunger to seize the chance: “The energy we brought onto the court immediately made the difference. Those of us who had fewer opportunities showed ourselves and honoured the competition. It doesn’t happen often that you step onto these stages, and we did it with aggression.” He added: “Of course there are opponents on the court too, and we couldn’t play the whole match like the first set. But we were good at putting Leuven under pressure and staying united in every phase.”
MVP on his first Champions League start, Noa Duflos-Rossi, closed the night: “For us it was a great result because after four rounds we are first in the group and we haven’t lost a set. A perfect night, because we played good volleyball, pushed by our fans.” On the individual prize: “The MVP award in my first Champions League start? It’s fantastic. Until now I didn’t have many chances. These are moments to remember.”
SuperLega: Luca Porro on Modena’s identity and the search for consistency
MODENA – After the win against Piacenza, the key question returns: what is the real face of Modena this season? Ahead of the match against Milano, outside hitter Luca Porro drew a clear line.
“The real Modena is the one we saw against Trento and Piacenza,” he said. “In Monza it was a complicated match. We didn’t play our best volleyball and credit to them for the win. But the latest Modena we’ve seen is the one that reflects what we are.”
Home form, serve, and energy are central themes: “I don’t know the data in detail, but it’s clear playing at home helps. I think it’s the same for every team. You feel the arena.” He also noted the need to transfer that edge on the road: “Away from home we have still had good wins, even against strong teams. But we have to work more, especially on serving in away matches.”
On his own link with PalaPanini: “I’m a very energetic guy. I care a lot about every match, every point. I try to take energy from the fans but also from my teammates and give it back on court, helping the team as much as possible.”
The comeback win reopened the fourth-place race, but Porro kept the tone balanced: “We believe in it, like you do. But we know it’s complicated because the level of the league is very high. Every Sunday you have to give your maximum.” He also pointed to Monza as the warning sign: “If you don’t play at your level, like in Monza, you go home with zero points. So yes, we believe, but we have to stay lucid and also look behind us because all teams are very close.”
On the up-and-down pattern: “We started as a mix of experienced players and young ones. Missteps happen to everyone. The important thing is to study them, as we do, and improve those details that we will need, especially looking toward the playoffs.”
Milano is next: “It will be a very tough match. In this league every team is strong, with top-level players. You have to play it at the maximum.”
On market rumours, he stayed on the present: “I can only say one thing: I’m really very happy here. For the rest, about the market, you shouldn’t ask me. I speak for myself and I say I feel truly good in Modena.”
Del Monte Coppa Italia: “Piano di Gioco” starts with Sani and Christenson
VERONA – With the Final Four approaching, Micah Christenson and Francesco Sani discuss Verona’s build-up in “Piano di Gioco”, sharing memories from the 2025 Final Four and the unique feel of a single-elimination weekend.
Among the lighter moments, Sani returned to last year’s “iconic” image: the club president running “with wings” like Keita and then doing a Cristiano Ronaldo-style knee slide after the semi-final win, a scene he says captured the energy of those days. Christenson linked Coppa Italia to key details: he recalled a semi-final where he decided to serve more aggressively and found an ace, and stressed how in this competition the right mindset must be immediate because there is no time to “warm into it”.
“Piano di Gioco” is a new Lega Pallavolo Serie A format produced in collaboration with Matteo Piano. It follows the four Del Monte Coppa Italia SuperLega semi-finalists—set for Saturday, February 7 and Sunday, February 8 at Unipol Arena in Bologna—highlighting the human side of the teams as the event approaches.
After Verona, the format will continue with the other three semi-finalists, offering an alternative pre-Final Four narrative built on smiles, self-irony and team chemistry—an angle designed to complement what will be decided on court.
