In the Netherlands, Liam McCluskey became national champion last Friday with his team Orion. McCluskey suffered a serious knee injury during the second part of the competition but was able to occasionally substitute during the playoffs. In the third match against rival Draisma Dynamo, they surprisingly lost after a 2-0 lead, but on Friday, Orion took revenge with a 1-3 victory, securing its third Dutch championship and thus completing the double after winning the cup in early April.

In Saudi Arabia, Tomas Rousseaux crowned himself vice-champion, and there was also notable news from China: Vital Heynen, the former coach of the Red Dragons, is the new coach of the Chinese men's team.

In Italy, Perugia continued its strong performance and won the fourth match against Monza (3-1), securing the coveted 'scudetto'. But 'our' Ferre Reggers also contributed, alongside the Japanese ace Ishikawi, to secure a spot in the Champions League for his team Milan. They relegated Trentino to the CEV Cup after three wins to one in front of 3254 spectators. On Sunday, Trentino (Wout D'Heer) will still play the Champions League final against Jastrzebski, the newly crowned Polish champion.

Grottazzolina is the newcomer in the A1.

Other champions include Odense (3-0 in Denmark against Nordenskov, the team of Dries Hoeyberghs), Berlin Recycling (in Germany after a 3-0 victory in the fifth match against Friedrichshafen), and the unexpected St.-Nazaire in France.

Project Warsaw (Igor Grobelny) finished third after two winning matches against Rzeszow.

In Russia, Zenit Kazan became champions on Tuesday evening after three winning matches against Dinamo Moscow, with Sam Deroo playing a leading role (first top scorer with 11 points (47%), in the second match 12 points (38%).

Ilka Van de Vyver: ten titles in five countries

It was a proud Ilka Van de Vyver, who also won the third match against Alba Blaj (3-1) with Voluntari. However, Britt Rampelberg showed her qualities on the other side of the net with a 75% reception rate (38% perfect reception). It was Ilka's tenth title in five different countries. A magnificent achievement!

Tirgu Mures, Julien Van de Vyver's team, convincingly won their last two matches against Bacau with Freya Aelbrecht in the lead: 28 points (77%) in the first match, 18 points (74%) in the second match. Whether these victories are enough to secure survival depends on whether all teams register for the new competition.

In Italy, Scandicci's second place remains a remarkable achievement. Despite 10 points (32%, 35% reception) from Britt Herbots, Conegliano remained the strongest after four matches.

Next Sunday, however, there will be another Italian battle. Newly crowned champion Conegliano will face Milano (with Laura Heyrman) in the Champions League final.

In Germany, Stuttgart stunned in the fifth and deciding match against Schwerin for their third consecutive title. Next season will be a battle in Germany for Nathalie Lemmens (Dresdner) and Anna Koulberg (Potsdam).

In Hungary, Bekescsabai (Dominika Strumilo) finished third after a 3-1 victory in the fifth decisive match against Elore.