An easy question: which Belgian volleyball player was named MVP in Italy this week?

No mistake possible: Ferre Reggers achieved it for the third consecutive week with Milan. This time, he scored 19 points (69 %!) in a 3-0 win against Taranto. Wout D’Heer did not feature for Taranto.

In Denmark, Dries Hoeyberghs continues to excel with Nordenskov. After a perfect 10 out of 10 in the league, they narrowly qualified for the Final Four with a 3-2 victory over Middelfart, surviving match points and clinching the tiebreak 17-15. It’s Nordenskov’s third consecutive Final Four, set to face Elite, Gentofte, and Odense V. on February 1.

In Kuwait, Bram Van den Dries will play for third place in the cup after Burgan lost 0-3 in the semifinal to Kuwait Club.

In Azerbaijan, Seppe Baetens and Murov defeated the ambitious Neftchi Baku. Seppe contributed 11 points (62 % and 3 blocks).

At the Club World Championship, Brazilian side Sada Cruzeiro won their fifth title after a 3-1 victory against Treviso, with former Maaseik player Rychlicki in the starting six. Wallace de Souza was the top scorer and attacker. Foolad from Iran secured bronze with a 3-2 (19-17) win over Civitanova.

In Russia, Sam Deroo and Zenit Kazan defeated Belgorod 3-0, extending their lead over this direct rival to six points.

In Spain, Guaguas was crowned autumn champion after a 3-0 victory over Almeria. Tomas Rousseaux contributed 9 points (43 %, 2 blocks).
In Germany, no win for Düren (still without Robbe Van de Velde) and Christophe Achten, who lost 3-0 to Freiburg. Berlin C. (also without Plaskie) won 0-3 at Dachau.

In the Netherlands, Orion (without Liam McCluskey) defeated Zevenhuizen 0-3.

In Croatia, Kastela won 1-3 against Medimurje in front of 80 spectators, with Luka Vlahovic scoring 5 points.

In Romania, Craiova and Duric easily defeated Cluj, conceding just 15, 10, and 17 points.

In Poland, Igor Grobelny’s 12 points weren’t enough for Kedzierzyn, who lost 0-3 to Project Warsaw. Last night, Mathijs Desmet (12 points, 33 %) couldn’t lead Gorzow to victory against Gdansk, the team of Gijs Jorna (ex-Antwerp, ex-Maaseik). A tight match: 25-23, 33-31, 27-25.

Lara Nagels MVP and stuns league leaders

Lara Nagels (3 points – 2 aces) and Sühl pulled off an upset victory in Germany, defeating top team Schwerin 3-2. Nagels was named MVP of the match. Meanwhile, Dresdner (Nathalie Lemmens 12 points, 62%, 4 blocks) won 3-1 against Wiesbaden, while Potsdam (Anna Koulberg 7 points – 22%) secured a smooth 3-0 victory over Erfurt. Pauline Martin and Charlotte Krenicky had a free weekend with Stuttgart.

In Italy, Scandicci lost 3-2 at Novara despite Britt Herbots’ 13 points (50 %). Busto Arsizio and Silke Van Avermaet (9 points, 38 %, 3 blocks) won 2-3 at Talmassons.

In Japan, Queenseis (Kaja Grobelna) was knocked out in the first round of the Empress Cup, losing 3-0 to Himeji. Marvelous Osaka reached the semifinals with wins against TWCPE (1-3) and Blue Cats (1-3) but fell to Hisamitsu (1-3).

In Greece, Ilka Van de Vyver and Paok Thessaloniki lost 3-1 to Panathinaikos.

An impressive performance in France for Venelles, with Britt Rampelberg (62 % reception, 31 % perfect). They won 3-2 against strong Nantes.
Dominika Strumilo is performing well with Turan Turkistan, a mid-table side in Kazakhstan, trailing the top four teams but maintaining a 10-point lead over their pursuers.

Marcel Coppens