Bram Van den Dries wins first Supercup for PAOK

In Greece, Bram Van den Dries, with 20 points at 60%, clearly helped ensure his side PAOK Saloniki's first Supercup win, winning the topper against Olympiakos 3-1. Axel Troutchev did become mvp.
In Italy, no Belgians in the Final Four of the Italian Cup, which was won for the fourth time by Perugia after a 3-1 win against Monza. The latter team had edged Trentino 2-3 in the semi-finals. Wout D'Heer was allowed one moment of substitution in the second set. Then Ferre Reggers (15p) came to play more at Milan, but to no avail against Perugia. More than 9,000 spectators turned up for the final.
In the league, Mathijs Desmet was also allowed to serve as bench player at Padua; which won 3-1 against Modena. Again the same scenario for Wout at Milan. His club won 3-0 against Milan in which Ferre Reggers scored 8p (30%).


Axe day in Poland, where coach Sammelvuo was replaced at Kedzierzyn a.i. by Adam Swaczyna. Coach Micoli suffered the same fate at Radom (replaced by assistant Jakub Gluszak). In league, Igor Grobelny was also good for one meagre substitute at Pr. Warsaw, who won 0-3 against Lwow.


In Turkey, predictable 3-0 defeat by Tursad (François Lecat) against leaders Halkbank. Fenerbahce, guest of Maaseik in the CEV Cup this Wednesday at 20h30 and second in the standings, won 3-0 smoothly against Bigadic.
Blood, sweat and tears in Russia where Zenit Kazan (with Sam Deroo 8p- 35%) had to concede a tiebreak to Zenit St Petersburg. That point loss could have cost them the lead were it not for the fact that Locomotiv also won only 2-3 against Din. Moscow.
In Bulgaria, leaders Burgos won the cup: 3-1 against Levski Sofia. MVP: Nikolov (19p and 6 blocks).
In the Netherlands, a resurgent Liam McCluskey helped ensure Orion's 1-3 win against Draisma Dynamo.

Coach Dries Hoeyberghs made it 3-2 (15-13) to direct rival ASV Elite in Denmark with leader Nordenskov. Gentofte follow on 2p with one match less played.
In Sweden, coach Bart Janssen (Södertelge) lost 3-1 to Sollentuna.


Three Belgian women in Italian Final Four
High days for the Belgian volleyball women in Italy. In Trieste, Conegliano will play Chieri (Kaja Grobelna scored 23p against Novara) and Milan (with Laura Heyrman 16p) against Scandicci (Britt Herbots accounted for 9 points against Pinerolo) for the women's Final Four in three weeks' time.
In the competition, Conegliano made it smooth from Scandicci via Hook (15p) in front of 5,344 viewers. Herbots came to 5 points (31%). A 2-3 defeat for Busto Arsizio (Dominika Sobolska 1), which conceded a 2-0 lead to Pinerolo. However, another 3-1 win for Milan (no scoring Heyrman) against Bergamo and 3-0 for Chieri (Grobelna 17p - 41% - 3 blocks) against Vallefoglio.
In Romania, a handsome performance by Britt Rampelberg (47% reception), who helped Alba Blaj to a 2-3 win against No 2 in the standings, Targoviste. Ilka Van de Vyver did not even have to face Voluntari, who went on to win by a generous 0-3 at penultimate Arges. And defeat for Julien Van de Vyver and Tirgu Mures: 0-3 against leaders Rapid Bucharest.
Also a sterling performance by Lara Nagels (7p - 67% -2 blocks and 3 aces), who helped ensure Markopoulo's 3-1 win in Greece against Aris Saloniki.
In Hungary, smooth 3-0 from Bekescsabai (Dominika Strumilo) against SZBBRA.
Double win for Lise Van Hecke at Queenseis in Japan: first 1-3 at Hitachi (Lise 27p - 45%), then 0-3 at Okayama (Lise 22p - 59%).
Surprise in Germany, where Aachen (Celine Van Gestel 9p - 20% - 52% rec! ) floored Dresdner 3-2, despite 14p at 47% and 5 blocks from Nathalie Lemmens. Pauline Martin (15p -26% - 4 blocks) went down with Vilsbiburg in Wiesbaden (3-2).
In France 3-1 win by Mulhouse (Silke Van Avermaet 10p - 37%) against direct rival Nancy and by Terville (Elise Van Sas 1p) against Chamalières (3-1).
(Compiled by Marcel Coppens)