European Cups
Champions League – The case
Santa Giulia still uncertain for the men’s Final Four?
MILAN – The Arena Santa Giulia—now one of the symbolic venues of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics—had been widely indicated as the designated host for the men’s Champions League Final Four in mid-May. The scenario looked close to “done”, also because of a broader plan that places the new Milan venue at the center of major international volleyball events in the coming years.
And yet, today, something doesn’t add up.
Checking the official calendar published on the Arena’s website (which can be configured up to 17,000 seats), the mid-May Champions League event does not appear. There are events listed before and after those dates, but no trace of the Final Four. A detail that has reignited doubts—especially because, according to chatter linked to Santa Giulia’s management, no binding contract would have been signed yet, even if the dates May 15–17 are said to have been optioned.
In recent days, an alternative path has also surfaced: exploratory contact with Milano Sport to evaluate the availability of the Allianz Cloud, a proven arena but with a much smaller capacity (around 5,000). It would offer stronger logistical certainty, but would inevitably reduce the event’s impact in terms of crowd size and visibility.
A third option remains on the table—more suggestive, but complex: Rho Fiera, a venue currently hosting skating-related events in the Olympic pathway. Big numbers would be possible there, but indoor volleyball would require a dedicated setup and a demanding organizational machine.
Time, however, is becoming a factor. Clarity is needed quickly, also because the bracket emerging from the group stage opens high-interest sporting scenarios: no all-Italian derby before the final act, and—best-case—the realistic possibility of a Final Four with three Italian teams still in the hunt for Europe’s biggest club trophy.
For now, only one certainty stands: Champions League 2026 still doesn’t have a fully confirmed home. Santa Giulia remains the first choice, but its role as the Final Four stage is not carved in stone yet—and the doubt keeps growing.
European Cups
Champions League Men – Qualified teams and the Playoffs/Quarterfinal bracket
MODENA – The teams advancing to the Playoffs and Quarterfinals of the men’s Champions League have been defined.
Playoffs
Warsaw (POL) – Trento (ITA)
Las Palmas (ESP) – Montpellier (FRA)
Resovia (POL) – Roeselare (BEL)
Quarterfinals
Lublin (POL) vs winner of Warsaw (POL) – Trento (ITA)
Perugia (ITA) vs winner of Las Palmas (ESP) – Montpellier (FRA)
Zawiercie (POL) – Civitanova (ITA)
Ziraat Ankara (TUR) vs winner of Resovia (POL) – Roeselare (BEL)
International planning
FIVB: Worlds in December? SuperLega to 14 teams? No
MODENA – On the latest episode of Time Out (Volleyball.it / Targatocn.it), Lega Pallavolo Serie A president Massimo Righi returned to the debate around a 14-team SuperLega—and drew a clear line.
According to Righi, expansion is off the table at least until the end of the LA 2028 Olympic cycle. The key reason is calendar saturation: FIVB and CEV scheduling is already packed, leaving no space for four additional regular-season rounds unless you remove playoffs—an option Righi described as impractical in the current ecosystem.
Righi also outlined directions FIVB would be evaluating for 2029–2032: "the shift of World Championships—and consequently continental competitions—into a winter window, between November and December or across December and January." If confirmed, that would imply a long winter break in domestic leagues to allow players to leave clubs for national team duty, then return to their teams.
The counterbalance would be a far more open summer for clubs: beyond the Volleyball Nations League, no other international competitions would be scheduled, reshaping the distribution of workload across the season and recalibrating the club–national team relationship.
Coaching courses
FIPAV: “The importance of building a team” — TicketOne sales open for De Giorgi and Velasco clinics
ROME – Starting today, TicketOne offers tickets for non-FIPAV members to attend coaching clinics led by the two reigning World Champion national team head coaches: Julio Velasco and Ferdinando De Giorgi.
The clinics remain primarily aimed at FIPAV members (coaches at every level), who can also use attendance to fulfill regional and territorial update requirements. The federation has published the official documents in the “Area Allenatori” section, while details and registration costs are available on the FIPAV website.
A key novelty this season is the opening to non-registered attendees: interested participants can purchase access through TicketOne.
Full schedule (6 dates)
Julio Velasco
March 2 – Florence: Pala BigMat
March 16 – Milan: Centro Pavesi FIPAV
March 30 – Messina: PalaRescifina
Ferdinando De Giorgi
March 9 – Budrio (BO): Palasport “Luciano Marani”
April 13 – Barletta: PalaDisfida “Mario Borgia”
April 27 – Bassano del Grappa (VI): CMP Arena
Transfer market
Busto Arsizio: UYBA 2026/27 starts again from Seki
BUSTO ARSIZIO – After confirming Enrico Barbolini on the bench, UYBA place their first cornerstone for 2026/27: Japanese setter Nanami Seki will remain in red and white next season.
Club president Andrea Saini linked the renewal to the plan’s need for stability: "Renewing Nanami is news that makes us extremely happy. She’s an international-level athlete, but above all an exemplary professional who perfectly embodies UYBA’s values. We wanted to build our future starting from technical and human certainties, and Nanami is one of them. With this renewal we send a clear message: we’re working with precise ideas and ambition."
Seki explained her decision in the same spirit: "I’m truly happy to continue my journey in Busto Arsizio. This club, the staff, my teammates and the fans made me feel at home from day one. I really believe in this project and I feel I can keep growing here with the team. I can’t wait to start the new season and keep fighting for these colors."
Modena: Maar close; Buchegger set to replace Darlan in Verona
MODENA – Modena Volley are shaping next season’s roster with a clear focus on outside hitters. The first key piece appears close: Canadian outside hitter Stephen Marr, coming off an experience at Galatasaray, is expected to join as a wing attacker. The move is described as advanced, with an agreement considered close barring surprises.
At the same time, an exit is taking form. Paul Buchegger is set to leave to make room for incoming opposite Nik Mujanović (currently at Tours VB). Buchegger’s next destination is already mapped out: he will move to Rana Verona, where he would reunite with head coach Fabio Soli.
Soli’s regard for Buchegger—and their shared history in previous Italian experiences between Monza and Ravenna—has been a key element in accelerating the operation.
International transfer market
Turkey accelerates, a domino effect in Russia, Japan increasingly central — and Italy moves (Verona, Perugia, Milano, Modena)
MODENA – A wide-ranging transfer market podcast on the Volleyball Analytics YouTube channel sketches a landscape where Turkey and Russia are setting the pace, Japan is becoming a global attraction, and Italy is targeting strategic moves with high impact.
Turkey: Ziraat and Halkbank push hard
Turkish media report Ziraat Bankkart Ankara close to signing French setter Benjamin Toniutti as a potential replacement for Murat Yenipazar, who is being targeted by Halkbank. If completed, Ziraat would add Toniutti to a roster already built to dominate domestically and attack Europe, with Nimir Abdel-Aziz and Trevor Clevenot confirmed and Yuki Ishikawa arriving.
At Halkbank, a major investment is rumored for Darlan Souza: according to the same reports, an indemnity of roughly €500,000 would have been paid to Verona to terminate the contract early, on top of a comparable first-year salary—an operation approaching €1 million in total.
Another topic remains speculative: Yoandy Leal’s possible return to Sada Cruzeiro, with rumors fueled by alleged friction with Radostin Stoytchev, despite Leal being under contract at Halkbank.
Fenerbahçe are also said to have secured Brazilian setter Fernando Kreling for 2026/27, locking down a key role well in advance.
Russia: domino between Kazan, St. Petersburg and Lokomotiv
A chain reaction is described in the Russian Super League: middle blocker Ilyas Kurkaev is reportedly heading to Zenit Kazan, which would trigger Artem Volvich’s move toward Zenit St. Petersburg. Lokomotiv Novosibirsk are linked with setter Egor Krechetov to pair with Luciano De Cecco, while Denis Chereiskii is also part of the projected rotation between top clubs.
A notable move is also mentioned at Belogorie Belgorod: opposite Romanas Shkulyavichus alongside Mohammed Al Hachdadi, plus the high-profile arrival of Argentine libero Santiago Danani, expected to leave Kazan to form an elite pairing with Maxim Budyukin.
Italy: confirmations, ambition, and the Keita question
Verona’s Coppa Italia title is framed as changing the perception of their project, with Micah Christenson highlighted as MVP of the tournament. Christenson’s post-final message is a snapshot of the team’s attacking depth: "With attackers like Keita, Mozic and Darlan, my job becomes easier: we have balance and many solutions."
Noumory Keita remains a major topic, with Italy, France and Turkey monitoring the situation amid possible naturalization dynamics and new, stricter FIVB rules on federation switches (noted as coming into effect from February 28, 2026), which could accelerate choices.
Among club notes: Modena are linked to Stephen Marr; Trento have reportedly signed a two-year deal with Brazilian Adriano Xavier; Perugia are said to be looking at Fabio Balaso, with Civitanova reluctant to sell (and Francesco D’Amico suggested as an alternative if a departure occurs). Milano are mentioned in connection with Robertlandy Simón, while Japanese outside hitter Tatsunori Otsuka is said to have renewed until 2027 despite SV League interest.
Japan: SV League more attractive than ever
Japan continues to grow as a market: Suntory Sunbirds are reported close to Luciano Palonsky and also discussing TJ DeFalco, with Wassim Ben Tara already confirmed. Wolfdogs Nagoya are linked with a headline move for French libero Jenia Grebennikov—an operation that would signal a shift in how foreign slots are used.
Additional names are cited in the broader rumor field, with the key backdrop being the league’s expected increase in foreign-player allowances next season—fueling competitiveness and appeal.
Poland: Piazza and Rychlicki in the spotlight
In PlusLiga, Roberto Piazza is mentioned as a potential Warsaw coach for 2026/27, while Zawiercie are linked with Kamil Rychlicki. The broader picture is straightforward: Turkey invests aggressively, Russia reshuffles internal hierarchies, Japan becomes a global magnet, and Italy focuses on targeted, high-value moves.
The market, in short, has entered its decisive phase—and several pieces are still looking for the right fit.
