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Latest news from the world of volleyball
CEV grants up to 80,000 euros for volleyball projects - application deadline is March 31, 2026
The European Volleyball Confederation (CEV) has announced an opportunity to fund project initiatives through the CEV Solidarity Fund – Type I program, aimed at developing volleyball in Europe. National federations, clubs, and individual candidates can apply under the scheme, with projects required to have a clear connection to volleyball and contribute to the development of the sport and its community. Type I funding supports initiatives that use volleyball as a platform for development, education, inclusion, sustainability, and digital innovation. Three categories of funding are provided: The deadline for submitting applications is March 31, 2026 (23:59 CET), results will be announced on May 15, 2026, and approved projects will start on July 1, 2026.
Ivan Tasev led DEAC to a clean victory in Kecskemét
Bulgarian international Ivan Tasev played a key role in DEAC's success, as they defeated Kecskeméti RC away with a 0:3 score (23:25, 15:25, 21:25) in a TippmixPro Férfi NB I Extraliga match. Tasev was the top scorer with 24 points (+19, 1 block, and an impressive 72% attack efficiency), while Vladyslav Pavliuk added 18 for the convincing victory. The match started difficult for the team from Debrecen, who trailed for a long time in the first set. After stabilizing their block and a strong final push, DEAC snatched the set, and an ace by Pavliuk ended the set – 23:25. In the second set, the visitors started like a storm and quickly built a huge lead that they held until the end – 15:25.
Ishikawa with right knee injury before Final Four Coppa Italia
Serious concern in the Sir Susa SCAI Perugia camp just days before the Final Four of the Del Monte Coppa Italia SuperLega. Japanese outside hitter Yuki Ishikawa has a problem with his right knee after getting injured during the away game in Padua, which Perugia won 1:3. Ishikawa sustained the injury upon landing after a jump in the very first set of the match, and the club officially announced details about his condition. Today, outside hitter Yuki Ishikawa underwent an MRI scan of his right knee. This was necessary after the injury he sustained yesterday upon landing after a jump during the first set of the match in Padua.
Weak match for Dimitar Dimitrov in Korea – 8 points and 38% attack efficiency
Dimitar Dimitrov played a poor match for OK Savings Bank in their 0-3 (23:25, 21:25, 24:26) loss to Hyundai Capital in a men's V-League 2025/2026 match, played in Cheonan Yu Gwan-sun Gymnasium. The Bulgarian opposite hitter finished with 8 points, all from attack, but with low efficiency – only a 38% success rate, which failed to provide the necessary offensive support. Jeon Kwang-in also had the same point tally (8), while Cha Ji-hwan was OK's top scorer with 14 points. OK Savings Bank had serious problems, especially in reception, where efficiency dropped to 27.2%, and the team was also outblocked 6-15. This led to difficult attack organization and a lower attack percentage than their opponent – 45% against 50% for Hyundai Capital.
Godzhov broke Suwalki 3-0 – strong Asparuhov, but the hosts without an answer in key moments
Suwalki had no answers against visiting Godzov and lost 0:3 (21:25, 23:25, 22:25). The hosts were close to their opponent at the end of each set, but never managed to make the crucial run that would keep them truly in the match. Each time they got within 1-2 points, the team lost concentration, and the more skilled Godzov team punished their hesitation and rightfully secured a clean victory. Only Filippipiak and Asparuh Asparuhov maintained a stable level for Suwalki, but this was not enough to turn the tide. Filippipiak finished with 20 points, and Asparuhov added 12, finishing with a +3 efficiency rating, 2 aces, 1 block, 53% positive reception, and 45% attack success rate.
Leal back to Sada? Brazilians warming up for a return in 2026/27
Yoandy Leal might return to the club with which he built the strongest period of his career – Sada Cruzeiro. According to information from Brazil, the management of the Minas Gerais giant is considering an option to sign the 37-year-old outside hitter for the 2026/2027 season. Currently, Leal is a player for "Bulgarian" Halkbank (Turkey), and his potential return to Brazil would be significant news, as it was at Sada where he became one of the leading figures in world volleyball. Leal played for Sada Cruzeiro between 2012–2018, when he won 25 trophies – regional, national, and international. After parting ways with the Brazilian club, his career continued in Europe, passing through:
"World-class apology": Nishida hit a girl with a serve in a show, and his reaction went viral
Sometimes the most memorable moment in volleyball isn't the point, but what happens after it. Or in this case – after a serve that doesn't go where it's supposed to at all. Japanese star Yuji Nishida became the main character in an amusing and instructive video that is now circulating on social media after being published by Volleyball World on platform X. Volleyball World presented the situation with a sense of humor, but also with a clear message that the standard of behavior is rising: The situation unfolded during the All-Star Games, as part of a show competition clearly designed for entertainment and audience engagement.
Surprise in Turkey: Spor Toto stopped champion Ziraat Bankkart with 3:1
The surprise of the 17th round in the Turkish SMS Grup Efeler Ligi is a fact –Spor Totostopped the championZiraat Bankkart, beating them at home with3:1 (19:25, 25:16, 25:21, 25:22)and inflicted onlytheir second loss of the season. The visitors started as planned and took the first set, but then the hosts turned the tide of the match with more stable reception play and greater consistency in defense. Spor Toto pressed with their serve and gradually pulled Ziraat out of their comfortable rhythm to close the match in four sets. A serious factor in the loss was the absence ofTomasz Fornal– a Polish national player and one of the champion's stars. Without him, Ziraat's attack seemed more predictable, even though the squad still included big names such as the DutchmanNimir Abdelazizand Olympic championTrevor Clevenot.
Abondanza continues to respond to criticism: Fenerbahçe beat Galatasaray in the derby and without Vargas
Fenerbahçe Medicana, led by Marcello Abbondanza, made one of their strongest statements for the Vodafone Sultanlar Ligi title after winning the Istanbul derby against Galatasaray Daikin 3:0 (25:19, 25:13, 25:23) in a match from the 19th round. And this victory carries even greater weight because it comes at a time of tension surrounding the coach – after two consecutive losses at the beginning of January, there was an unprecedented attack from some fans in the stands and on social media, who not only questioned Abbondanza's work but openly started looking for his "replacement". Instead of caving in, the Italian specialist responded in the strongest possible way – with a decisive 3:0 derby win and complete control over the match, even without one of the team's biggest stars. Fenerbahçe entered the derby without Melissa Vargas, who was sidelined due to an upper respiratory tract infection following medical examinations and tests. The club officially announced that the diagnosis was confirmed and the player would not be able to participate in the match, wishing her a speedy recovery.
Zlatanov leads Ravenna to 11th victory, Vulchinov and Dimitrov also helped with the success
Ravenna faced no serious difficulties at home against Aversa and recorded a straight-set victory with 3:0 (25:23, 25:18, 25:21). This was their 11th win since the start of the championship, with which the team climbed to 3rd place with 35 points " the same as second-placed Pineto, who however has one more win. Key to the success was again Manuel Zlatanov, who played a very strong match and finished with 15 points, +8 efficiency, 1 ace, 1 block and an impressive 65% attack efficiency. With this block, Zlatanov now has 25 for the season.National team member Samuil Vălchinov was also among the stable figures with 10 points, +4 efficiency, 2 blocks and 32% attack efficiency. Hristiyan Dimitrov's performance was more modest, as he finished with 5 points, -3 efficiency and 33% attack efficiency.