Men

In Italy, Allianz Milano opened the week in style. Ferre Reggers and company edged the midweek showdown with Modena 3–2, after a sublime opening set that reached 37–35 and a tense tiebreak. His teammate Seppe Rotty is unfortunately sidelined long term with a serious shoulder injury. Later in the week, the trip to Piacenza proved tougher and ended 1–3. For Cucine Lube Civitanova, Wout D’Heer fell after five sets at Perugia, 2–3, with long rallies and money time tipping the other way.

In France, Robbe Ponseele was key in Tourcoing’s away win at Paris, 3–0, the first two sets closing only at 30–28 and 27–25. Marin Dukić and Le Plessis-Robinson finished the job at home against Nice, 3–0, in control from start to finish.

On to Germany, where Simon Plaskie faced a tough double-header with Berlin Recycling Volleys. First 0–3 at home to Friedrichshafen despite a tight end to set three, then another battle versus Düren decided only in the tie-break, 2–3. In Russia, Sam Deroo and Lokomotiv Novosibirsk stayed on track with a clean 3–0 against MGTU.

In Poland, Igor Grobelny and ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle lost in five at LUK Lublin, 2–3, with razor-thin margins late in the sets. In Romania, Seppe Baetens and Steaua București opened convincingly versus Știința București, 3–1, while Răres-Ștefan Neamu and Baia Mare were beaten at home by SCMU Craiova, 1–3, though they fought through a 27–25 opener.

Spain was all about efficiency. Tomás Rousseaux and CV Guaguas suffocated Cisneros, 3–0, with sturdy side-out and heavy service pressure. In Greece, Bram Van den Dries and Foinikas Syros had to bow at home to PAOK, 0–3, the visitors just a touch sharper at every finish. In the Netherlands, Liam McCluskey steered Orion Stars to a fine start against Lycurgus, 3–1, keeping control in the closing moments.

Women

In Italy, Imoco Conegliano proved a size too big for Igor Novara and Britt Herbots, 0–3, even if Novara clung on late into the sets. Silke Van Avermaet and UYBA Busto Arsizio did bag the full haul versus Vallefoglia, 3–0, with set two sealed at 25–23. Nathalie Lemmens and Perugia stunned at Cuneo with 2–3 after a rollercoaster featuring 27–25 and 26–24 on the way to a cool-headed tie-break.

Germany showcased a broad Belgian imprint. Anke Waelkens and USC Münster kept a clean sheet versus ETV Hamburg, 3–0, with set one at 26–24. Lara Nagels led VfB Suhl Lotto Thüringen past Erfurt in the Thuringian derby, 0–3, and was named MVP by the club. With Allianz MTV Stuttgart, Pauline Martin and Anna Koulberg celebrated a businesslike away win over Skurios Borken and Amber Gesquiere, 0–3, two sets closing at 23–25.

In France, Karolina Goliat and Valenciennes fell at Quimper, 0–3, against a side applying constant service pressure. In Türkiye, Kaja Grobelna ran a double with Galatasaray. At home against İlbank it was a 3–0 win, then a top clash at VakıfBank ended 0–3, the opener at 24–26 and the finish with the favourite just that bit more clinical. Dominika Strumilo and Çanakkale Belediyespor kept it short versus Yeşilyurt, 3–0, showing huge dominance in the third set.

In Greece, Ilka Van de Vyver and PAOK took the Thessaloniki derby at Aris, 0–3, managing side-out with poise. In Romania, Charlotte Krenicky and CSM Volei Alba Blaj confirmed status versus Dinamo București, 3–1. In Poland, Laura Heyrman and DevelopRes Rzeszów lost in a tie-break at Budowlani Łódź, 2–3, with 25–22 in set four as the tilt point toward the fifth. In Japan, Lise Van Hecke and JT Marvelous played two away at NEC Red Rockets, both going the distance, 2–3 and 2–3, with NEC just a shade sharper on the final points. In the Philippines, Hélène Rousseaux and Farm Fresh Foxies stayed on pace with 3–1 against Capital1 and then 1–3 versus PLDT, again with a prominent scoring role.