Daily Volleyball News - November 9: Fenerbahçe eye Nicoletti, Blain extends Hyundai stay

Transfer news: Fenerbahçe linked with mid-season move for Nicoletti

Fenerbahçe Medicana are reportedly considering a move for Italian opposite Anna Nicoletti, with the interest centred on bringing her in during the current campaign rather than next season.

The 30-year-old joined Zeren Spor earlier this year and has scored 148 points in the Vodafone Sultanlar Ligi.

The 1.93m opposite is already well acquainted with Turkish volleyball, having played for Aydın Büyükşehir Belediyespor, Eczacıbaşı Dynavit and Türk Hava Yolları. She finished as the Sultanlar Ligi’s leading scorer in 2022/23.

Her career in Italy has included spells with Club Italia, Imoco Volley Conegliano, Saugella Team Monza, Millenium Brescia and Lardini Filottrano.

South Korea: Blain signs two-year Hyundai Capital extension

Philippe Blain has extended his contract with Hyundai Capital Skywalkers by two years, keeping him in charge through the 2028/29 season.

The French coach made an immediate impact after arriving in Cheonan in 2024/25, guiding the Skywalkers to the KOVO Cup, first place in the regular season and the V-League championship.

That campaign delivered the club’s first treble, featuring 30 regular-season wins, and their first regular-season and championship double in 19 years.

Hyundai Capital also hope to draw on Blain’s international contacts to develop exchanges with overseas clubs. His extension follows reported interest from national teams and European clubs, including approaches from China and several European federations.

Blain welcomed the opportunity to continue his work in Cheonan and thanked the club for its trust and support.

SuperLega: Parma prepares for Super Cup Final Four

The Del Monte Super Cup comes to Parma’s renovated PalaRaschi on 14–15 November, with four of Italy’s leading clubs chasing the trophy.

Defending champions Sir Susa Scai Perugia face Itas Trentino in the opening semi-final at 15:30 on Saturday, just six days after Perugia’s five-set league victory in Trento. Rana Verona then take on Cucine Lube Civitanova at 18:00.

Both semi-finals will be broadcast on Rai Sport and VBTV. Sunday’s final starts at 18:00, with coverage on Rai 2 and VBTV.

The event brings top-level volleyball back to a venue closely tied to Parma’s sporting history. Following renovation work, the PalaRaschi can now accommodate more than 4,000 spectators, with organisers reporting a strong response from local fans and travelling supporters.

At the presentation, Lega Pallavolo Serie A president Massimo Righi also renewed his opposition to plans to stage international championships in November and December after the Los Angeles Olympics. He warned that a lengthy interruption to domestic play would squeeze club schedules and put events such as the Super Cup under pressure.

Beach volleyball: BVT clinch European title in golden-set decider

Beach Volley Training won the men’s CEV Beach Volley European Cup in Alanya, beating Ukraine’s Sunrise Beach Sports Academy 2-1 in a final decided by a golden set.

After Marco Viscovich and Davide Borraccino lost the opening match in three sets, Raoul Acerbi and Tiziano Andreatta drew the Italian club level with a 2-0 victory. Acerbi then teamed up with Borraccino to dominate the golden set 15-6 and secure the title.

BVT had also needed a golden set to get through their semi-final against the Netherlands’ Scherp in Packaging ZVH, winning that decider 15-10.

The club’s women’s team—Serena Cimmino, Eleonora Gili, Elisa Fragonas and Samantha Guglielmo—finished fifth after a quarter-final defeat by CDV Braveheart Gran Canaria.

The European crown adds to BVT’s domestic success, with both their men’s and women’s teams having won seven consecutive Italian titles.

Meanwhile, the Wilson OPTX will remain the official ball of the Italian Beach Volleyball Championships until 30 September 2028. The FIVB-approved model combines Visual Spin Technology with the Optic Flow design, intended to help players, officials and spectators track the ball’s spin and flight.

Sitting volleyball: Italy name 11-player squad for Trieste

Italy have selected 11 players for the men’s Sitting Volleyball Bronze Nations League, which takes place in Trieste from 20 to 22 November.

The squad will assemble at the Trieste Campus on 18 November, under technical director Pasquale D’Aniello and head coach Marcello Marchesi.

Nola Città dei Gigli provide four players, with two each from Volley 2001 Garlasco and Fiano Romano. Volley Club Trieste, Volley Club Cesena and Cuneo Volley contribute one player apiece.