The European club volleyball landscape is buzzing as the continent`s elite women`s teams finalize their preparations for the upcoming 2025 CEV Champions League Volley season. The focus now shifts decisively towards Luxembourg, where the crucial Drawing of Lots is set to determine the initial group stage composition, laying the groundwork for another intense campaign towards European supremacy.
Scheduled for **Tuesday, July 15th, at 12:00 CEST**, the draw will slot the qualified teams into pools, setting up potential clashes between perennial powerhouses and ambitious challengers right from the start. This event marks a significant step as the intricate path to the coveted trophy begins to unfold.
The Field Takes Shape
A total of **20 teams** will participate in the main phase (4th round) of the competition. A solid core of **15 teams** has already secured their direct entry, having earned their spots through strong performances in their domestic leagues or prior European rankings. The remaining **five places** are reserved for the winners of the preceding preliminary rounds, which will conclude with decisive doubleheader matches in September.
Examining the confirmed lineup reveals the geographical distribution of Europe`s top-tier talent:
- **Italy** leads the charge with four formidable clubs: reigning champions **A. Carraro Prosecco DOC Conegliano**, joined by **Savino Del Bene Scandicci**, **Numia Vero Volley Milano**, and **Igor Gorgonzola Novara**. Italian teams consistently reach the latter stages, making their presence a significant factor in the competition.
- **Türkiye** fields its own strong contingent of four teams: the well-known Istanbul giants **Eczacibasi Istanbul**, **VakifBank Istanbul**, and **Fenerbahçe Medicana Istanbul**, alongside **Ankara Zeren Spor Kulübü**. This Turkish quartet ensures a high level of competition, bringing intense rivalries and passionate support.
- **Poland** contributes three teams to the mix: **ŁKS Commercecon Łódź**, **Grot Budowlani Łódź**, and **Developres Rzeszów**, demonstrating the strength of the Polish league.
- **Germany** is represented by two clubs: **Dresdner SC** and **SSC Palmberg Schwerin**.
- Single representatives come from **Serbia** (**OK Železničar Lajkovac**), **France** (**Levallois Paris Saint Cloud**), and **Romania** (**CS Volei Alba Blaj**).
Wildcards: Balancing Act
Adding further intrigue to the lineup, two wildcards were awarded for the season, going to **Ankara Zeren Spor Kulübü** and **Igor Gorgonzola Novara**. The European governing body (CEV) cited a desire to strike a balance between ensuring highly competitive matches and considering the marketability of the CEV Champions League Volley across Europe and beyond. It appears the market potential of both the clubs and their respective home countries played a significant role in these strategic selections. Because, after all, while the sport is the heart of it, generating interest and revenue keeps the engine running.
With 15 teams confirmed and five spots soon to be decided through intense qualification battles, the stage is nearly set. The upcoming Drawing of Lots will transform this list of contenders into specific group challenges, igniting the anticipation for the first serves of the 2025 CEV Women`s Champions League season.
Torin Vale 
Gideon Holt