One of the biggest scandals in volleyball this summer erupted between Alexander Nikolov's former Lube Civitanova teammate, Adis Lagumdzija, and two-time Olympic champion Earvin Ngapeth. After the Turkish national player made serious accusations against his former teammates at Fenerbahce, the French star responded with a humiliating attack on social media.
Lagumdzija, who played alongside Alex Nikolov at Lube during the 2024/25 season and won the Italian Cup, gave an interview to the Serbian publicationMeridian Sport, cited byVolleyball.it. In it, he revealed that the season at Fenerbahce was marked by serious tension in the locker room.
"I don't like to speak ill of others... But other players spoke ill of us, so sometimes you have to respond. Especially the Polish and French volleyball players. They caused a complete disaster. Throughout the season, they tried to pull us down. And in the end, they made some statements to save their own skin, so to speak, which do not correspond at all to our work and what we did," Lagumdzija stated.
According to the publication byVolleyball.it, the words of the Turkish national player are directed at Frenchman Earvin Ngapeth and Polish setter Fabian Drzyzga, who were his teammates at Fenerbahce. It was Ngapeth who reacted publicly with a sharp post on social media.
"In your career, you have won two major trophies, one of them with me. And Lube signed you because of that season. You were so weak and so arrogant that even your own team couldn't stand you anymore. I won't mention names so as not to put anyone in a difficult situation. But this was told to me directly by one of the best setters in the world. You are not the player you think you are. We are not in the same class, kid. Besides, you know very well that when we meet, you will come and apologize to me. Until then, try to reach the podium in the Nations League. For you, even that would be a huge... and a very great achievement," the French star wrote.
A curious detail in Ngapeth's words is also worth noting. When he speaks of Lagumdzija's "two major trophies," he most likely refers to his club honors – the CEV Cup with Modena in the 2022/23 season, won precisely in a team with Ngapeth, and the Italian Cup with Lube in the 2024/25 season, when the Turkish opposite was a teammate of Alexander Nikolov.
Undoubtedly, Ngapeth is one of the most decorated volleyball players of his generation. The two-time Olympic champion, European champion, two-time World League winner, and two-time Nations League trophy holder has an incomparably richer resume than Lagumdzija. However, this does not mean that the Turkish national's accusations can be dismissed solely because of the difference in trophies.
In fact, for years Ngapeth has had a reputation as an exceptional volleyball player, but also as a highly emotional and conflict-prone character who has repeatedly clashed with teammates and coaches. This in itself does not prove Lagumdzija's version of what happened at Fenerbahce, but it makes it entirely plausible.
For now, neither Lagumdzija has responded to Ngapeth's latest attacks, nor has Fabian Drzyzga publicly commented on the accusations made against him. But the exchange of words has already become one of the most discussed topics in the volleyball world.