LOL, the assumption that because YOU don't think the Olympics are a big deal makes the entire continent not make them a big deal is the most ridiculous thing I've read all day. It has nothing to do with culture and/or what fans think is a big deal, it's about the athletes' perspective and what they place emphasis on. I'd be willing to bet a lot of money that if you ask ANY European NT volleyball player what their ultimate dream/goal is it would be winning an Olympic gold medal and not winning the Champions League. It's for that very reason that players like Solokova and Grun more recently come back to their respective NT's and why players like Lo Bianco are striving to play in for the 4th time. No one talks about the CL winner from 5, 10, 15 years ago, but the volleyball world still talks about Cuba winning gold in the 90's. The prestige of the Olympics DWARFS anything the Champions League could dream of having.
Secondly, contrary to your erroneous belief that Americans grow up thinking Olympics are the strongest competition in every sport, two of the biggest sports in this country are baseball and basketball, and NO ONE thinks the Olympics are the strongest competition. The NBA Championships and World Series are what Americans care about, but nice attempt at American-bashing.
Hmm this is really funny reply from you, maybe you should read my message before you start to reply. Although English is not my first langue I was concrete, so I never said anything about assumptions. Any way american-bashing, you serious???