In the women's category, Herbots and co received a major blow in Italy. Granted, Conegliano is a world-class team, but losing 25-21, 25-14, and 25-13 at home clearly puts their feet back on the ground. Britt scored only 5 points (29%) and still managed 40% of the receptions.

Laura Heyrman did not feature for Milan, which won 25-16, 25-15, and 25-16 against Perugia. Good points for Silke Van Avermaet (13 points at 59%) who helped Busto Arsizio secure a 1-3 win at Pinerolo.

In Japan, a double 1-3 loss for Queenseis against Hisamitsu: Kaja Grobelna scored 14 points at 24% and 13 points at 37%. Double 3-1 wins for Osaka against Kurobe. Lise Van Hecke scored 10 points (23%) and 25 points (64%).

In Poland, GB Lodz (with Dominika Sobolska 5 points at 16% in the first three sets) lost the city derby in a tiebreak against Comm. Lodz (13-15 in the fifth set).

Great work in France again from Venelles and libero Britt Rampelberg (50% reception), who won 3-2 against Mulhouse.

In Greece, another win for PAOK Thessaloniki and Ilka Van de Vyver (2 points): 3-0 against Markopoulo.

Positive news also from Germany, where Stuttgart – with Pauline Martin (16 points – 48%) and a substitute appearance from Charlotte Krenicky – won 1-3 at Aachen, immediately taking the lead in the standings: 42 points, Schwerin 41 points, and Dresdner 39 points with one game less played. Lara Nagels (6 points – 75%) also stood out at Sühl and contributed to a 3-0 win against Erfurt.

Robbe Van de Velde is Back
In the men's category, we saw an exciting match in Germany between Düren and Herrsching, won by Christof Achten’s team, who overcame a 0-2 deficit, with Robbe Van de Velde making his mark with 7 points (35%) and 31% reception. In Friedrichshafen – Berlin (1-3), Simon Plaskie did not play.

In Italy, Piacenza initially led 0-2, but Milan, with Ferre Reggers (21 points – 49%) suddenly selected again, closed the gap.

Also, a tiebreak win for Taranto (with Wout D’Heer 10 points – 44% - 3 blocks) against Monza.
In Poland, a narrow 2-3 win for Kedzierzyn (Igor Grobelny 18 points – 46%) at Belchatov. Also, a victory for Gorzow (with Mathijs Desmet 12 points – 20%), which also beat Stal Nysa in a tiebreak.

A straightforward 3-0 win for Sam Deroo and Zenit Kazan against Novgorod in Russia.
In Spain, Guaguas (with Tomas Rousseaux 11 points – 53% - 3 blocks) retains its lead after a 1-3 win at Taragona.

A loss in the Netherlands for Orion (Liam McCluskey 1 point), beaten 1-3 by Draisma Dynamo.

In Romania, Marin Dukic scored 9 points (23%), helping Craiova to a 1-3 win at Baia Mare.

A surprise in Denmark, where Dries Hoeyberghs' team let go of its favorable position in the standings with a double 3-0 defeat against Middelfart and ASV Elite, two teams that also qualified for the Final Four of the Danish Cup.

(Compiled by Marcel Coppens)
Image: https://www.stuttgarts-schoenster-sport.de/