Daily Volleyball News - November 13: Super Cup takes centre stage as Nimir is linked with Galatasaray

SuperLega: Perugia begin Super Cup defence as Parma hosts Final Four

The Del Monte Super Cup takes centre stage in Parma this weekend, with four clubs chasing the first trophy of the SuperLega season at the PalaRaschi.

Holders Sir Susa Scai Perugia face Itas Trentino in Saturday’s opening semi-final at 15:30, before Rana Verona take on unbeaten Cucine Lube Civitanova at 18:00. The winners meet in Sunday’s final at 18:00.

Perugia and Trentino renew their rivalry just six days after the Italian champions won a five-set league encounter in Trento. Both captains, however, have warned against reading too much into that result.

Riccardo Sbertoli described the semi-final as Trentino’s first knockout test of the season, stressing the need to be ready both physically and mentally. Perugia’s Simone Giannelli echoed that caution, insisting the previous meeting offered no reliable guide to how Saturday’s contest would unfold.

For Verona, the second semi-final offers a chance to put a difficult league start behind them and avenge their opening-round defeat by Civitanova. Head coach Fabio Soli has called for belief, aggression and attention to detail.

Lube coach Giampaolo Medei, meanwhile, said his side’s preparations had been geared towards reaching the Super Cup in form. He believes they have followed their planned progression so far, with the immediate aim of beating Verona before challenging Perugia or Trentino for the trophy.

Transfer news: Nimir linked with Galatasaray, Vargas extends Fenerbahçe stay

Nimir Abdel-Aziz is being linked with a move from Ziraat Bankkart to Galatasaray next season, with reports in Turkey and Poland suggesting the Dutch opposite has agreed a two-year deal.

The move remains unconfirmed: neither club nor the player has made an official announcement.

Fenerbahçe, meanwhile, have secured Melissa Vargas until 2030. The club announced a three-year extension for the 27-year-old opposite, ending speculation over a possible move to city rivals VakıfBank when her existing contract expired.

Vargas has spent much of her club career with Fenerbahçe, alongside spells with Tianjin in China.

Women’s Serie A1: Leaders face away tests as Egonu closes in on Turlea

Prosecco DOC Imoco Conegliano and Numia Vero Volley Milano put their perfect 8-0 records on the line away from home in the ninth round of LVF A1 Fineco.

The joint leaders, both on 24 points, visit Bergamo and Cuneo respectively. Third-placed Chieri host Macerata, while Vallefoglia open the weekend against Firenze on Saturday night.

Milano’s trip to Cuneo gives Paola Egonu the chance to reach another scoring milestone. Her 32 points against Brescia took her career total in Serie A regular-season and play-off matches to 6,058, leaving her 31 points short of overtaking Carmen Turlea’s 6,088 in the records covering the rally-point era, which began in 1999/2000.

Savino Del Bene Scandicci are looking to end a two-match losing run when they welcome UYBA Busto Arsizio. After surrendering a two-set lead at San Giovanni in Marignano in midweek, Marco Gaspari’s side share fifth place with Bergamo on 14 points.

Gaspari has urged his players to regain their confidence and sustain their level throughout matches rather than allowing their performance to fluctuate.

France: Paris Volley face uncertain future as rescue talks continue

Paris Volley are battling for survival, with debts estimated at just under €1 million threatening the future of the nine-time French champions.

A proposed rescue involving Vero Volley’s Aldo Fumagalli and Mariannes 92 president Philippe Peters is reportedly in serious doubt, although discussions were still continuing on Thursday afternoon. The search for a buyer has stretched over several weeks, with the threat of court-ordered liquidation growing.

Silvano Prandi’s squad are still hoping to host Tourcoing on Saturday at 19:00, but players and staff have received no firm assurances about the club’s future.

Wednesday’s 3-0 defeat by Montpellier in the French Super Cup has been overshadowed by the financial crisis. Prandi, who turned 79 on Friday, captured the uncertainty surrounding the team: “I hope we will play on Saturday. I hope we will carry on.”