Get ready, volleyball aficionados. The path to European club glory is becoming clearer as the initial lineup for the upcoming season of the CEV Champions League Volley Men, the continent`s premier competition, has been officially confirmed. Eighteen of Europe`s top teams have secured their direct entry spots, setting the stage for the crucial Drawing of Lots.
The competition`s main phase, known as the 4th Round, will feature a total of 20 participants. As is standard practice, 18 teams have earned their place through their national league performances and CEV rankings, while the final two coveted spots will be claimed by the victors of the preceding 3rd Qualification Round.
Anticipation is building ahead of the Drawing of Lots ceremony, scheduled to take place on Tuesday, July 15th, in Luxembourg, at 12:00 CEST. This is the moment when the group compositions are decided, pitting powerhouses against potential dark horses right from the start.
Confirmed Powerhouses and Contenders
The list of direct entrants features a familiar collection of European volleyball heavyweights:
- Italy contributes a formidable trio: reigning champions Sir Sicoma Monini Perugia, joined by perennial contenders Trentino Itas and Cucine Lube Civitanova. Italy remains a hotbed for top-tier club volleyball, and these three promise intense competition.
- Poland is strongly represented with four teams entering the fray. Last season`s Final Four participant Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie is back, alongside CEV Challenge Cup winners PGE Projekt Warszawa, Bogdanka LUK Lublin, and Asseco Resovia Rzeszów. The PlusLiga presence is significant.
- Türkiye fields three competitive clubs: last season`s Final Four participant Halkbank Ankara, Ziraat Bank Ankara, and Galatasaray Istanbul. Turkish teams consistently challenge at the highest level.
- From Germany, we see the return of the consistently strong Berlin Recycling Volleys and last season`s notable surprise package, SVG Lüneburg, who punched above their weight and clearly earned their place.
- Belgium sends two representatives: the experienced Knack Roeselare and Volley Haasrode Leuven.
- Rounding out the directly qualified list are VK Lvi Praha from Czechia, Montpellier HSC VB from France, and Sporting CP Lisboa from Portugal.
Wildcard Selections: A Strategic Hand
Adding to the mix, three teams received wildcards from the CEV Board of Administration: Halkbank Ankara, Asseco Resovia Rzeszów, and Montpellier HSC VB. The criteria for these selections reportedly aimed to strike a balance between ensuring highly competitive matches and enhancing the marketability of the CEV Champions League Volley across Europe and beyond. It`s a delicate balancing act, ensuring both sporting merit and commercial reach are considered. Getting a wildcard is certainly a nice boost for campaign planning!
With 18 teams now confirmed, the focus shifts to the upcoming qualifiers to see who will seize the remaining two spots and complete the lineup for the main phase. The Drawing of Lots on July 15th will then reveal the initial challenges and rivalries that will define the start of the journey towards crowning the new King of European club volleyball.
An exciting season awaits, filled with powerful serves, spectacular digs, and the relentless pursuit of continental supremacy.
Torin Vale