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Latest news from the world of volleyball
Beroe inflicted the first loss on Lokomotiv Avia after a five-game thriller in Stara Zagora
Beroe achieved an extremely valuable victory over Lokomotiv Avia in a dramatic match from the tenth round of the championship, inflicting the first loss on the Plovdiv team this season. The hosts won 3:2 (25:16, 14:25, 28:26, 19:25, 15:13) after more than two hours of tense play in the "Ivan Vazov" hall in Stara Zagora. The match offered everything comebacks, saved match points, strong serves, and decisive defensive interventions. Lokomotiv Avia showed character by saving three match points, but ultimately succumbed to the more concentrated Beroe squad, who took the lead twice in the sets, leading to a tie-break. In the decisive fifth set, Beroe was the first to reach the eighth point and built up a lead of 14:10.
Montana effortlessly crushed Slavia
The newcomer to the elite Slavia continues to sink to the bottom in efbet Super Volley. The "Whites" suffered their eighth loss since the start of the championship, after conceding defeat in their away game against Montana with a decisive3:0 (25:20, 25:17, 25:13)in a match from the 10th round, played in Mladost Hall. Daniel Peev's pupils dominated throughout and did not allow the visitors to put up any serious resistance. Montana set a high pace from the very first game and with excellent organization of offensive play and serving stability quickly rendered the intrigue pointless. Slavia never found their rhythm, as problems in reception and low attack efficiency were evident throughout the entire match.
Perugia dethrones world club champion
Sir Sicoma Monini Perugia secured a spot in the semifinals of the World Club Championship after decisively defeating Sada Cruzeiro 3:0 (25:19, 25:23, 25:21) and finishing first in Pool B. The victory eliminated the Brazilians, the reigning world champions, and paved the way to the semifinals for Osaka Bluteon as well. The Italian team had a clear superiority in the decisive elements – 12 blocks versus just 2 for Sada Cruzeiro and 5 aces versus 1. Semeniuk was the top scorer with 16 points, while for the Brazilians, Otávio finished with 14. Perugia established control already in the first set, which they won 25:19, dominating with blocks and serves.
Maritsa Plovdiv is the Team of Plovdiv for 2025
The women's volleyball champion of Bulgaria, Maritza (Plovdiv), was chosen as 'Team of Plovdiv' for 2025. The yellow-blues won the award in the traditional survey for the best sports achievements of athletes and teams from the city for the past year, once again affirming their leading role in Bulgarian women's volleyball. The award ceremony took place at an official event in the City Art Gallery. The award was presented personally by the mayor of Plovdiv, Kostadin Dimitrov. Representing the club were manager Boris Halachev, head coach Ahmetcan Erşimşek, as well as players Zhana Todorova, Iva Dudova, Elisaveta Sarieva, and Aleksandra Kitipova.
Again on the agenda: Santarelli, Fenerbahçe and the question marks around Abbondanza
Marcello Abbondanza's appointment as head coach of the Bulgarian women's national team coincided with personnel changes at Fenerbahçe that attracted the attention of the volleyball community. The Turkish club officially announced its parting ways with Dariusz Stanicki, the sports director of its volleyball teams a decision that inevitably raises questions about the future structure and management of the section. It is not the first time Daniele Santarelli's name has been linked with a possible change, and the information that has emerged in recent days may merely be a reflection of Imoco Conegliano's loss in the Women's Club World Championship final. However, over the past 24 hours, information has started circulating on recognizable X profiles specializing in Turkish volleyball news, as well as Italian websites (ivolleymagazine.it), suggesting that Santarelli, despite his current contract with Conegliano until June 2027, could be among the options discussed by Fenerbahçe.
The fourth city on the list of hosts for the World Volleyball Championship in Poland has become clear.
Poland announced the fourth host city for the upcoming World Volleyball Championship, and the choice fully met expectations. The cathedral of Polish volleyball – the legendary "Spodek" arena in Katowice – will host matches from the championship, thus joining Olsztyn, Gdańsk, and Łódź as a Silesian host city. Although Katowice will not decide the fate of medals, the city's significance for Polish and world volleyball is undeniable. "Spodek" is the first association for thousands of fans when the Polish national team is mentioned. The arena has been the stage for some of the most memorable matches in the history of Polish volleyball and has been regarded as a true temple of the game for decades.
Svetoslav Ivanov and Krasi Georgiev led Steaua to victory and a place in the top 3 of the Romanian championship
The match between Steaua and Corona Brașov fully lived up to the pre-match expectations for quality and intensity. The guests from Brașov started more confidently and took the first set with 25:23, but from then on, the hosts imposed better block organization and a more effective attack. In the next three sets, the "red-blues" controlled the rhythm and deservedly reached a 3:1 victory (23:25, 25:21, 25:21, 25:17). Ivanov played a solid match, especially in attack from zone 4, where he was often sought in key moments.
Drama for Perugia, Polish recital and Brazilian derby on the second day of the Club World Championship
The FIVB Volleyball Men's Club World Championship, already on its second day, offered high-tension matches, contrasts, and clear messages about how ruthless the path to medals will be. European representatives took center stage in the program – with a dramatic five-set battle for Sir Sicoma Monini Perugia against the Japanese defense of Osaka Bluteon and with a demonstration of class and depth from Polish vice-champion Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie. The tournament has now left the 'getting to know' phase and has become an arena where every point matters, every mistake is punished, and there is practically no room for experiments.Sir Sicoma Monini Perugia – Osaka Bluteon 3:2 (23:25, 25:16, 25:22, 23:25, 23:21) After the expected warm-up against the Libyan team, Sir Sicoma Monini Perugia faced a much higher level in the form of Japan's Osaka Bluteon and had to go to a tie-break to snatch an extremely valuable success in Group B.
Elitsa Vasileva-Atanasijevic with a major contribution to Panionios' 7th victory
Panionios Betsson achieved a convincing away victory against Z.A.O.N. with a score of 3:0 (25:14, 27:25, 25:19) and became the first team to leave the "Zirinio" hall with a win this season. The "blue-reds" controlled most of the match and solidified their place at the top of the standings with their 7th victory in 10 matches. The winners thus reached 21 points after 10 played matches and established themselves in 3rd place in the standings. The success in "Zirinio" hall holds additional weight, as it came against an opponent undefeated at home until this point, and increased the "blue-reds'" lead over direct competitors for the top positions.
efbet Super Volley: Pirin solidified their rise, Neftochimik returned to winning ways
Pirin (Razlog) achieved its second consecutive and overall fifth victory for the season in efbet Super Volley, while Neftochimic 2010 (Burgas) responded with a decisive home win and returned among the leading teams in the standings. The interim 10th round offered clean 3:0 victories, which further intensified the battle at the top and bottom of the table before the last round of the first half of the season. The team led by Blagovest Katrandzhiev defeated Cherno More (Varna) without much difficulty as hosts with a 3:0 (25:20, 25:20, 25:19) victory in an interim 10th-round match played in "Septemvri" hall. The Razlog team controlled the game in all three sets, imposing stable play on serve and in attack. With this success, Pirin climbed to 5th place in the provisional standings with 5 wins, 4 losses, and 15 points.