While some countries have started their Christmas break, in Germany, teams are going full throttle with both cup and league matches in the same week.

In the men’s competition, the March 2 final in Mannheim will have a Belgian flavor as Düren (coached by Christophe Achten with Robbe Van de Velde) defeated Giesen 3-1, and Recycling Berlin (featuring Simon Plaskie) swept Hachung 3-0.

In the women’s competition, the semifinal was a true thriller. Despite an outstanding performance from Anna Koulberg, Potsdam held on for a long time, but in the tiebreak, Nathalie Lemmens’ class helped Dresdner secure their spot in the Cup Final on March 2 against Münster.

In the league, Schwerin won the top match against Stuttgart, which had initially led 2-0. Despite a strong duo performance from Pauline Martin (29 points, top scorer with 42 % and 4 kill blocks) and Charlotte Krenicky (5 full sets, contributing 3 points at 100 %), Schwerin claimed victory in the tiebreak. In Sühl Lara Nagels (2p) faced Potsdam with Anna Koulberg (14p), Potsdam won the match 1-3.

In Italy, league action for women was limited: Britt Herbots (8 points at 33 %) helped Scandicci win 1-3 at Cuneo.

However, at the Club World Championship, Conegliano triumphed in the final against Chinese team Tianjin (3-0), which had knocked out Brazilian side Dentil Praia (3-1) in the semifinal, refereed by “our own” Marika Boulanger as the first official.

In France, Venelles (Britt Rampelberg) claimed a 0-3 victory at Terville, while in Greece, Ilka Van de Vyver (starter with 3 points at 25 %) led PAOK to a 3-0 derby win against city rival Aris Thessaloniki.

Three in a Row for Seppe Baetens
Seppe Baetens continues to shine in Azerbaijan, where his team, Murov Baku, recorded a third consecutive 3-0 victory, maintaining a joint lead in the league with Xilasedici.

In Kuwait, Bram Van den Dries excelled for Burgan with 20 points (56 %) and 4 kill blocks, but it wasn’t enough to reach the Cup Final, as Kuwait Sport claimed a 3-0 victory.

In Italy, Taranto (Wout D’Heer, 5 points at 83 %) lost 1-3 to Trentino, while Milan, despite top scorer Ferre Reggers (17 points at 60 %), fell 3-0 to Civitanova.

In Poland, Kedzierzyn (Igor Grobelny, 13 points at 53 %) secured a 0-3 win at Czestochova, but Gorzow (with two substitutions for Mathijs Desmet, scoring 2 points) lost 1-3 to Belchatow.

In Russia, Sam Deroo and his Kazan teammates extended their lead over competitors to 9 points after a 3-0 win against Kemerovo, a match played behind closed doors following a Ukrainian missile attack on the city of Kazan.

In Germany, Düren (Christophe Achten) suffered a 3-0 loss to Lüneburg, while Berlin Recycling won 1-3 at Giesen. Neither Robbe Van de Velde nor Simon Plaskie entered the court.

In Romania, former Menen player Marin Dukic was the top scorer for Craiova (22 points at 56 %, 3 blocks) in their 1-3 victory against Dej.