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SUPERLEGA
SuperLega: Luca Porro named January MVP
MODENA – In SuperLega Credem Banca, the January MVP award goes to Luca Porro, outside hitter for Valsa Group Modena. The reigning world champion stood out throughout the first month of 2026, earning three match MVP awards against Sonepar Padova (Round 14), Itas Trentino (Round 16) and Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza (Round 18).
In January alone, Porro scored 78 points, taking his 2025/26 season total to 267: 222 kills, 33 aces and 12 blocks.
Porro commented: "Being Credem Banca January MVP is a great pleasure. It’s an award I obviously share with all my teammates. We’re entering the most important part of the season: we want to approach this final Regular Season match against Rana Verona in the best possible way, then fully commit to the Playoffs. We can’t wait!"
The award will be presented tonight before the match closing the Regular Season between Modena and Verona.
SuperLega Credem Banca: Nikolov regular-season top scorer; Buchegger, Perry, Beretta & Loser lead the other categories
MODENA – The regular-season individual leaders are in. Aleksandar Nikolov (Cucine Lube Civitanova) finishes as the top scorer across 22 rounds with 450 points, also the best points-per-set average. Nikolov also tops the kills chart with 369 (52.6% on 701 swings; 49 errors; 69 blocked).
From the service line, Paul Buchegger (Valsa Group Modena) leads the aces ranking with 62, five more than Nikolov (with Buchegger having played one match and four sets fewer, per the provided data).
At the net, Thomas Beretta (Vero Volley Monza) is the top blocker with 44 stuff blocks. In reception, Modena’s libero Luke Perry leads the “positive reception %” list (min. 100 receptions) with 32.9% over 413 receptions.
Per-set leaders: Nikolov ranks first in points per set (5.62) and kills per set (4.61). Buchegger posts 0.74 aces per set, while Perugia middle Agustín Loser stands out with 0.61 blocks per set.
TOP SCORERS
450 – Aleksandar Nikolov (Cucine Lube Civitanova) – 5.62 per set
430 – Ferre Reggers (Allianz Milano) – 5.37
331 – Veljko Masulovic (Sonepar Padova) – 3.89
POINTS PER SET
5.62 – Nikolov (Cucine Lube Civitanova)
5.37 – Reggers (Allianz Milano)
4.60 – Keita (Rana Verona)
KILLS
369 – Nikolov (Cucine Lube Civitanova)
367 – Reggers (Allianz Milano)
284 – Feral (MA Acqua S.Bernardo Cuneo)
KILLS PER SET
4.61 – Nikolov (tot. 369)
4.59 – Reggers (tot. 367)
3.81 – Keita (tot. 259)
ACES
62 – Buchegger (Valsa Group Modena)
57 – Nikolov (Cucine Lube Civitanova)
48 – Mandiraci (Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza)
ACES PER SET
0.74 – Buchegger (tot. 62)
0.71 – Nikolov (tot. 57)
0.62 – Darlan (tot. 42)
BLOCKS
44 – Beretta (Vero Volley Monza)
41 – Loser (Sir Susa Scai Perugia)
41 – Sanguinetti (Valsa Group Modena)
BLOCKS PER SET
0.61 – Loser (tot. 41)
0.57 – Beretta (tot. 44)
0.56 – Mosca (tot. 40)
POSITIVE RECEPTION % (min. 100 receptions)
32.9% – Luke Perry (Valsa Group Modena) – 413 receptions
25.5% – Damiano Catania (Allianz Milano) – 376
24.5% – Andrea Marchisio (Yuasa Battery Grottazzolina) – 404
SuperLega Credem Banca: Playoff bracket confirmed — results and final standings
MODENA – With Trento beating Cisterna 3–0 to secure 3rd place, Modena winning 3–1 against a Verona “B” (without Darlan, Keita, Zingel and Staforini), and Piacenza losing 2–3 in Padova, the playoff bracket is mathematically set: Trento 3rd, Modena 4th, Piacenza 5th.
Quarterfinals – Game 1 (Sunday, March 8, 2026)
Sir Susa Scai Perugia – Vero Volley Monza
Valsa Group Modena – Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza
Itas Trentino – Cucine Lube Civitanova
Rana Verona – Allianz Milano
INTERNATIONAL
From Moscow to Valencia: Andrea Anastasi reconnects with Spain nearly 20 years after EuroVolley 2007 gold
MODENA – Spanish sports daily Marca published an interview by Jorge Moragón with Andrea Anastasi, nearly two decades after the EuroVolley 2007 final in Moscow that delivered Spain a historic title against host Russia. In the interview, the Italian coach (and former Italy head coach) said he will return to Spain for the Copa del Rey finals in Valencia, providing a chance to revisit one of the most symbolic moments in European volleyball.
EuroVolley 2007, played between Moscow and St. Petersburg, remains one of the competition’s biggest surprises. Italy, coached by Montali, missed the Final Four on set ratio (with Finland coached by Mauro Berruto), and several teams coming out of St. Petersburg—including Anastasi’s Spain—ended up overturning predictions.
The final in Moscow unfolded in a tense environment: a sold-out arena, a notable military presence in the stands, no video challenge system, and line-call decisions contested as being favorable to Russia. Even some former Russian players with Italian league experience showed frustration with the officiating trend. One iconic image remains: Anastasi turning his pockets inside out during the match, as if to say he had nothing left to give.
Despite the context, Spain pulled off an unexpected win—one that reportedly irritated the event’s organizers: the press room was closed early and several foreign journalists, who had stayed courtside to collect reactions from protagonists (many active in Italy), returned to find internet lines already shut down, preventing them from filing their pieces.
Beyond the episodes, the significance stands: a David-versus-Goliath victory, volleyball-style. That is the starting point of Marca’s interview, which revisits one of the most unexpected and emblematic chapters in recent European volleyball history.
Bulgaria: Blengini named “Coach of the Year 2025”
SOFIA – Gianlorenzo Blengini has been named Bulgaria’s Coach of the Year 2025, becoming the first foreign coach to receive the award.
According to Sportal.bg, the prize was awarded as part of the 42nd edition of the “Coach of Bulgaria” poll organized by daily Trud, with 25 media outlets participating.
Blengini, 54, coached Bulgaria’s men’s national team to the World Championship final in the Philippines, where Bulgaria lost 1–3 to Italy.
Poland: Jastrzębski Węgiel addressing sponsor troubles (JSW)
POLAND – Historic Polish club Jastrzębski Węgiel is facing financial difficulties linked to issues affecting its long-time partner JSW (Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa).
The squad includes, among others, two-time Olympic champion Benjamin Toniutti, German middle Anton Brehme, and Olympic and world silver medalist Łukasz Kaczmarek.
The club’s board issued a transparent statement to fans, media, players and staff, explaining that the sponsor’s economic situation directly impacts the club—marking the second time in 22 years the club has faced such financial strain (a similar case occurred in 2015, also connected to the mining sector).
The board highlighted the long list of achievements built during the JSW partnership (including four Polish titles, Champions League medals and domestic cups), stressed the ongoing search for additional funding sources, and asked: players for understanding and patience, fans for continued support, media to avoid unverified information, and commercial partners for trust and help in an exceptionally difficult moment.
WOMEN’S A1
Monviso: Rebuild starts with former Cuneo executive Marco Pistolesi
PINEROLO – Less than 48 hours after relegation, Monviso Volley began restructuring. The first move is in the front office: Gianni Fattori steps down, and Marco Pistolesi is appointed General Manager.
Pistolesi (formerly with Piemonte Volley and Siena) will coordinate operational areas and define the technical setup for next season in Serie A2.
TRANSFER MARKET
Cuneo: Dubai trip ahead; market moves — exits and targets (Mosca, Ethan Champlin)
CUNEO – After securing survival in their return season in SuperLega, Cuneo close the regular season with a trip to Allianz Cloud to face Roberto Piazza’s team. The season ends with the minimum goal achieved, but April brings the 5th-place playoffs (for a Challenge Cup spot under a format linked to Scudetto quarterfinal outcomes). After the Milan match, MA Acqua S.Bernardo Cuneo will also fly to Dubai for a nine-day tournament in the UAE against international teams.
On the market: sporting director Paolo Brugiafreddo confirmed captain Domenico Cavaccini and middle Lorenzo Codarin will stay. Opposite Nathan Feral has already been renewed. Outside hitter Alexandre Strehlau (under contract through 2027) is under evaluation. Lorenzo Sala and young Federico Giraudo are also expected to remain, with Matteo Battocchio confirmed as head coach.
Likely departures include Michele Baranowicz and Ivan Zaytsev, in line with a rejuvenation plan. Other potential exits: Riccardo Copelli, second libero Simone Oberto, and Serbian middle Aleksandar Stefanovic, meaning at least one libero slot may need filling.
At setter, the most discussed target is Bryan Argilagos (born 2007, Perugia), as a potential successor to Baranowicz. If he arrives, he could be paired with an experienced setter—there is also a suggestion involving local product Manuel Coscione (currently in Fano). At middle, Cuneo are interested in Leandro Mosca (Vero Volley Monza). On the outside-hitter front, one intriguing track leads to Ethan Champlin, USA national-team player (born 2001), currently in the Bundesliga with Lüneburg.
Market: Falaschi to Modena, Polo to Civitanova; Medei courted by Fenerbahçe?
MODENA – Men’s market updates for next season: setter Marco Falaschi is expected in Modena as backup to Amir Tizi-Oualou. Middle Alberto Polo is set to join Cucine Lube Civitanova.
From Turkey, La Gazzetta dello Sport reports early rumors: Fenerbahçe have begun courting Giampaolo Medei, current Lube head coach. For now, it remains speculation, but it underlines Turkey’s continued attention toward Italian coaches.
Milano: Fusaro on changes, Reggers’ departure and “big surprises”
MILAN – After the win over Cuneo that closed the regular season, Allianz Milano president Lucio Fusaro reviewed the year and looked ahead to European cups, playoffs and the market.
"It’s been a relatively strange year because we expected to do much better," he said, pointing to injuries—starting with Rotty, who never played despite being a projected starter—and praising academy product Ichino. He also highlighted Otsuka’s return impact after months of absences.
Now the focus shifts: "Now the real season begins. On Wednesday we have the European Cup semifinal, then the playoffs start. The playoffs begin from zero-zero." The primary objective is clear: "Try to win the European Cup."
On the market, Fusaro hinted at major additions: several key players already confirmed, departures expected, and one arrival set to be announced by the player’s current club. He used a football comparison: "After Pelé came Maradona, then Ronaldo, then Messi… There will be surprises."
Milano: Official — Basil Dermaux signs
ROESELARE (Belgium) – Basil Dermaux will leave Knack Roeselare and continue his career in Italy, joining Allianz Milano from next season. The Belgian opposite, developed in Roeselare’s youth system, is set for his first experience in SuperLega.
Roeselare framed the move as an important step for a homegrown player; Milano see it as a future-oriented signing.
UYBA: Melanie Parra renews through 2026/27
BUSTO ARSIZIO – UYBA Busto Arsizio confirmed Mexican outside hitter Melanie Parra for 2026/27, following the renewal of Nanami Seki. In her first pro season in Italy, Parra posted 350 points in 26 matches, with 35% in attack, 25 aces and **26 blocks.
President Andrea Saini: "Melanie Parra is a high-level player, but above all a person who brings energy, professionalism and team spirit."
Parra: "I’m happy to continue my journey with UYBA; I’ve always felt valued here."
EUROPEAN CUPS
Champions League (Women): Golden Set sends Scandicci through — Novara fade after set one
PLAYOFF – Second leg
Savino del Bene Scandicci – Igor Gorgonzola Novara 3–1 (24–26, 25–17, 25–15, 25–21)
Golden Set: 15–7
FLORENCE – A high-tension all-Italian derby. Novara arrived with a 3–1 advantage from the first leg, but Scandicci flipped the script at Pala Wanny: a 3–1 win forced a Golden Set, dominated 15–7 by the hosts, who advanced to the next round and eliminated Lorenzo Bernardi’s side.
Ekaterina Antropova starred again: 26 points and 3 aces, top scorer of the match. Novara leaned heavily on Tatiana Tolok (20), but she lacked enough support in the scoring load.
Scandicci had a deep supporting cast: Franklin 15, Nwakalor 14, Weitzel 14. Nwakalor was a major factor at the net with 9 kill blocks, one of the key elements of the qualification.
In the backcourt, Brenda Castillo led the match in perfect reception at 31%, a detail that gained weight in the Golden Set phase.
Team numbers tell the story: Scandicci finished with 17 blocks, including 6 in the Golden Set, and 48% in attack overall. The decisive edge came in sideout and first contact during the extra set: 71% positive reception for Scandicci in the Golden Set vs 36% for Novara. Novara ended with 7 blocks total (only 1 in the Golden Set) and couldn’t make an impact from the line when it mattered most.
Champions League (Women): Milano also reach the quarterfinals
PLAYOFF – Second leg
Numia Vero Volley Milano – Olympiacos Piraeus 3–0 (25–12, 25–18, 25–11)
MONZA – Italy now have three teams in the Champions League women’s quarterfinals. After the 3–0 win in Greece, Milano secured qualification early in the return leg by moving 2–0 up and locking the ticket to the next knockout phase.
Milano will face VakıfBank Istanbul in the quarterfinals.
European Cups: Chieri and Vallefoglia advance
MODENA – Two positive verdicts for Italian clubs in the secondary competitions, CEV Cup and Challenge Cup.
After the disappointment of the last regular-season round, Chieri bounced back in Europe by beating Łódź 3–0 to reach the CEV Cup semifinals. Nicola Negro’s team will face Dresdner SC; the other semifinal is Galatasaray Daikin Istanbul (coach Bigarelli) vs CSO Voluntari 2005 (coach Caprara).
In Challenge Cup, Megabox Vallefoglia booked a place in the final, eliminating Hungary’s Kaposvár 3–0 in the semifinal. The final will be against Panathinaikos Athens, who knocked out fellow Greek club GS Panionios Nea Smyrni.
