These are the best teams now confirmed to participate due to recently renewed CEV + Challenge Cup rankings:
1. Galatasaray ISTANBUL (TUR)
2. Yenisey KRASNOYARSK (RUS)
3. DRESDNER SC (GER)
4. Sm'Aesch PFEFFINGEN (SUI) (instead of CL qualification)
5. DÜDINGEN (SUI)
6. Stiinta BACAU (ROM)
7. CSM TARGOVISTE (ROM)
8. Asterix AVO BEVEREN (BEL/Kieldrecht, instead of CL qualification)
9. VC OUDEGEM (BEL)
10.St. RAPHAEL (FRA)
11.Fatum NYIREGYHAZA (HUN)
12.Agel PROSTEJOV (CZE) (instead CL pool stage)
13.OSTRAVA (CZE)
14.Yamamay e-work BUSTO ARSIZIO (ITA)
15.LP SALO (FIN)
16.Zeleznicar LAJKOVAC (SRB)
17.Khimik YUZHNY (UKR, instead CL qualification)
18.Nova Branik MARIBOR (SLO, instead CL pool stage)
It is not that clear, if one or both Swiss teams Düdingen and Schaffhausen will participate or opt for Challenge Cup. Olympiacos Piraeus might opt for CL qualification instead for example. Busto Arsizio will be a major threat for the top three, if CEV strictly sticks to the ranking (?), because they will be not set at all, it seems, and can encounter any team at any also early time in the competition. If somebody is surprised regarding Germany: in the last years usually always at least one VBL team was in the semis of CEV cup...