Men’s EuroVolley: France and Poland sweep into semi-finals
SOFIA – France became the first team to reach the 2026 Men’s EuroVolley semi-finals with a commanding 3-0 victory over Romania (25-16, 25-19, 25-19), wrapping up their quarter-final in just 74 minutes.
Andrea Giani’s side dictated proceedings throughout, converting 60 per cent of their attacks and outblocking Romania 10-3. Théo Faure led all scorers with 19 points, while François-Xavier Huetz contributed 11, including six blocks. Cristian-Daniel Chitigoi was the only Romanian player to reach double figures, finishing with 11 points.
France now head to Milan, where they will face the winners of Wednesday’s quarter-final between Italy and Finland.
Poland joined them in the last four with an equally convincing straight-sets win over Germany (25-23, 25-17, 25-17). After edging a tight opening set, Nikola Grbić’s side pulled clear in the next two, combining attacking power with remarkable accuracy.
Poland converted 61 per cent of their attacks and committed just two attacking errors from 79 attempts. Wilfredo León led the way with a match-high 17 points, supported by Bartłomiej Bołądź with 13. Erik Röhrs was Germany’s leading scorer with 12.
Poland will face either Belgium or Slovenia for a place in the final.
SuperLega: Verona–Civitanova to launch 2026/27 season
Verona will host Cucine Lube Civitanova in the opening match of the 2026/27 SuperLega Credem Banca season on Saturday, 17 October, at 18:00.
The curtain-raiser will be broadcast on Rai Sport and VBTV, with the remaining first-round fixtures scheduled for Sunday, 18 October. Sunday’s programme includes newly promoted Acqua Sant’Anna Cuneo against Sir Susa Scai Perugia, while Valsa Group Modena welcome Itas Trentino.
The league has confirmed the schedule and broadcast selections for the opening five rounds. VBTV will stream every match, Rai Sport will show at least one fixture per round and DAZN will carry two.
Perugia’s round-11 visit to Pallavolo Padova has been brought forward to Wednesday, 28 October, at 20:30, to accommodate their participation in the Club World Championship. The match will be shown on DAZN and VBTV.
Macerata fight back to beat Lube in pre-season friendly
MACERATA – Cucine Lube Civitanova surrendered a one-set lead as Gruppo Fisiomed Macerata fought back to claim a 3-1 win (22-25, 25-23, 25-20, 25-16) in a pre-season friendly at the Banca Macerata Forum.
Giampaolo Medei turned to academy players in the fourth set. Hetman finished with 17 points, while Gargiulo added 13.
Maksym Tonkonoh, recently back from EuroVolley, watched from the stands and is expected to join the squad in the coming days.
Women’s Super Cup: Conegliano and Scandicci set for Bari showdown
BARI – Prosecco Doc A.Carraro Imoco Conegliano and Savino Del Bene Scandicci will contest the Italian Women’s Super Cup at the PalaFlorio on Saturday, 24 October, at 18:00, as the event returns to southern Italy for the first time since the 2003 edition in Syracuse.
The match renews a rivalry that featured in two major finals last season. Conegliano lifted the Italian Cup, while Scandicci claimed the Club World Championship title in December.
The Super Cup will be organised in partnership with Spike Media as part of the Puglia European Region of Sport 2026 programme.
Women’s league: Cozzoli and Beduschi stand for presidency
The election to succeed Mauro Fabris as president of the Italian Women’s Volleyball League will take place on 29 September, with Vito Cozzoli and Massimo Beduschi standing for the role.
Under the new governance structure, Serie A1 clubs hold 60 per cent of the voting weight, with Serie A2 clubs accounting for the remaining 40 per cent. That distribution gives the second division a potentially decisive role should the top-flight clubs split their support.
Relations with the Italian Volleyball Federation, the balance between the two divisions and the league’s commercial strategy will be among the principal issues facing the next president.
