Challenge Cup 2024

    Novara needed 42 points of Buijs and defend two match points to barely defeat Vilsbiburg (who are missing Vazquez and Martin) 3:2, 16:14 :white::what: Novara played without Akimova and Durul, Szakmary played most of the match as OPP but attacked only 8 balls without scoring any so she's probably not healthy.

    You all know that Italian teams have the biggest problem with German teams…


    But Novara still missed 4 starting players ? Bosio, Danesi, Fersino and Akimova if I’m not right ?


    But happy to see that Bujis can pull 42 points, after Orthmann injury who was planned to start next to Bosetti.

    Quote from Matthias

    Novara needed 42 points of Buijs and defend two match points to barely defeat Vilsbiburg (who are missing Vazquez and Martin) 3:2, 16:14 :white::what: Novara played without Akimova and Durul, Szakmary played most of the match as OPP but attacked only 8 balls without scoring any so she's probably not healthy.

    She didn't play the match before, so it could be likely. Anyway, welcome to female volleyball Lollo!

    Quote from Matthias

    Novara needed 42 points of Buijs and defend two match points to barely defeat Vilsbiburg (who are missing Vazquez and Martin) 3:2, 16:14 :white::what: Novara played without Akimova and Durul, Szakmary played most of the match as OPP but attacked only 8 balls without scoring any so she's probably not healthy.

    Any idea why didn't Durul play at all?

    I just watched the match between VC Sneek and PVK Olymp Praha (with Hodanová and Brancuská). Even though Sneek won the Dutch super cup 1.5 week ago, there is clearly a big gap between Dutch League and other European teams. I think I read that the 'return' will already be played tomorrow, in Sneek as well?


    Despite the loss, highlight of the match for me was MB Rixt van der Wal (u21 player) :heart: I'm afraid her blocking might not be sufficient (yet) for NT-level, but she has a good attack if set properly! Hopefully she will get a chance to train at Papendal in the summer :super:

    Thetis - Nilufer 2-3 (25-21, 15-25, 27-25, 13-25, 9-15)


    Petovary 25 (21/67), Papageorgiou 14 (9/15, 5 blocks), Hayden 11 (9/22), Sirinina 8 , Merteki 5 (3/32)


    Gicquel 25 (19/44), Kunzler 20 (15/43), Yordanova 11 (11/20), Baskir 10 (6/11), Milenko 9 (9/30)



    They will play again today (both matches in Bursa)

    Any link for novara casalmaggiore?

    Pretty much easy win for Novara with 3:0 score (25:21, 25;22, 25:16)


    Top scorer ones again Vita Akimova with 18points.

    Panathinaikos - Zwolle 3-1 (28-26, 21-25, 25-18, 25-16)



    Atkinson 21 (18/39), Carcaces 18 (17/30), Samadan 17 (11/17)


    Kok 19 (18/30)

    Novara won first two sets against Pomi and they are going trough.


    Vita Akimova scored 14points in 2sets with 80% in attack 12/15.


    :super::white:

    Vita Akimova ones again with amazing performance with 21points in 3sets. Her stats are crazy 26/18, 69% in attack again Pomi :white::heart::box:

    The main round of the Challenge Cup began this week and the matches had the following results:

    • Kaunus VDU (LTU) vs. Olympiacos SFP Piraeus (GRE) 0–3 (18-25, 21-25, 18-25)
    • CSM București (ROU) vs. FATUM Nyíregyháza (HUN) 3–1 (25-20, 25-18, 17-25, 25-18)
    • Panathinaikos AC Athens (GRE) vs. GEN-I Volley Nova Gorica (SLO) 3–0 (25-19, 25-18, 25-18)
    • AC PAOK Thessaloniki (GRE) vs. VK Prostějov (CZE) 3–0 (25-19, 27-25, 25-19)
    • PVK Olymp Praha (CZE) vs. Neptunes Nantes (FRA) 0–3 (20-25, 21-25, 20-25)
    • Marina Kaštela (CRO) vs. Nilüfer Belediye Bursa (TUR) 0–3 (15-25, 18-25, 11-25)
    • C.S.M. Lugo (ROU) vs. Sm' Aesch Pfeffingen (SUI) 3–0 (25-12, 25-11, 25-20)
    • Oberbank Steelvolleys Linz (AUT) vs. TI-Volley Innsbruck (AUT) 3–1 (27-25, 25-20, 24-26, 25-18)
    • Randaberg IL (NOR) vs. Igor Gorgonzola Novara (ITA) 0–3 (16-25, 16-25, 16-25)
    • Levski Sofia (BUL) vs. Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) 0–3 (20-25, 19-25, 21-25)
    • Bevo Rekkenshop Roeselare (BEL) vs. VC Wiesbaden (GER) 1–3 (22-25, 25-15, 23-25, 16-25)
    • Sporting CP Lisboa (POR) vs. Tent Obrenovac (SRB) 1–3 (22-25, 16-25, 25-16, 16-25)
    • Hämeenlinna LR (FIN) vs. Galatasaray Daikin Istanbul (TUR) 0–3 (14-25, 18-25, 13-25)
    • Azerrail Baku (AZE) vs. Avarca de Menorca (ESP) 3–1 (23-25, 25-15, 25-19, 25-23)
    • Kanti Schaffhausen (SUI) vs. C.S.O. Voluntari 2005 (ROU) 0–3 (19-25, 14-25, 21-25)

    The games between Maccabi Haifa (ISR) and ZOK Ub (SRB) will not be played due to the known situation due to Maccabi Haifa's withdrawal and ZOK Ub is in the next round.

    Actually, I'm interested to see what's Azerrail's next move.

    They wanted to do well in Challenge Cup but have been eliminated in first round. They wanted to win local championships but they lost the first game against Absheron. Maybe they will release some foreign players as they no longer participate in Challenge Cup or fire the coach?

    Quote from Matthias

    I wonder what her agent was thinking sending her there :gone: I'm perfectly OK with Azerbaijan trying to build up a serious league once again, but right now going there is career suicide for really good players :whistle:

    There aren't many clubs willing to wait for a MB till the Panamerican Games are over. As far as I know, she had to reject offers from Turkey and Italy in order to play the tournament with her NT. I guess Azerrail pays her more than any other middle level team from the rest of Europe or small club willing to wait for her. Top teams would not wait for sure.