The CEV Champions League Volley 2026 group stage commenced with a definitive statement from two continental titans: TRENTINO Itas and BERLIN Recycling Volleys. Both clubs secured commanding 3-0 victories in their respective home fixtures against ACH Volley LJUBLJANA and Guaguas LAS PALMAS, establishing early momentum as the competition heads into the crucial holiday pause. While the scorelines suggest total dominance, the reality on the court revealed intense battles, particularly in the German capital.
The Italian Fortress: TRENTINO Itas vs. ACH Volley LJUBLJANA (Pool A)
TRENTINO Itas, returning to the Champions League stage for the first time since their 2023/2024 triumph, proved that their pedigree remains sharp. Hosting ACH Volley LJUBLJANA, the Italian side maintained a perfect historical record against the Slovenian champions, clinching their sixth consecutive head-to-head win.
The match unfolded in a familiar pattern: TRENTINO would surge ahead, often built on relentless serving pressure, only for Ljubljana to claw their way back. The first two sets were textbook examples of controlled pressure meeting spirited resistance, both ending with the narrow margin of 25-23. The tension was palpable; the score masks the fierce, point-for-point exchanges that pushed Trentino`s defense to the limit. Slovenian side, led briefly by the efficiency of Tonček Štern, refused to yield easily.
The young outside hitter was the undisputed architect of Trentino`s success, delivering an MVP performance that single-handedly disrupted Ljubljana`s strategy. Michieletto accumulated 21 points, including 4 crucial aces, demonstrating superb attacking efficiency (62%) and stability in reception. His performance provided the necessary firepower to neutralize ACH Volley’s late-set rallies.
The final set saw TRENTINO close with confidence. Despite LJUBLJANA momentarily seizing a late lead at 18-17, the hosts quickly restored order. It was Michieletto who, fittingly, sealed the 25-21 set win with a final, decisive ace, confirming the sweep and reinforcing the observation that when TRENTINO and ACH Volley share a group, history suggests the trophy ends up in Trentino. A purely technical, but undeniably compelling, piece of historical data.
The Battle of Berlin: BERLIN Volleys vs. Guaguas LAS PALMAS (Pool C)
A packed Max-Schmeling-Halle provided the backdrop for the BERLIN Recycling Volleys` assertive start in Pool C. Facing the resilient Guaguas LAS PALMAS, a team that fought successfully through three initial qualification rounds, the German champions needed every bit of their home crowd energy.
This 3-0 victory was perhaps the most misleading result of the opening night. While BERLIN controlled the first set, the second set was an absolute dogfight—a twenty-nine-minute technical marathon. The teams traded blows deep into extra points, a grueling defensive sequence where neither side could find the necessary margin. BERLIN’s ability to stay patient and capitalize on the 29-27 finish was the true pivot point of the entire match, saving them from a potentially momentum-shifting loss of the set.
With the psychological upper hand secured, BERLIN tightened its systems in the third set. Serving pressure increased, and the block-defense network became nearly impenetrable. LAS PALMAS, though demonstrating the relentless fighting spirit that brought them this far, finally succumbed to the consistent output of the BR Volleys, closing the match 25-17.
While Jake Hanes led all scorers with a colossal 22 points, the MVP recognition went to setter Fedor Ivanov. This choice underscores the technical difficulty of the match; Ivanov`s calm presence, crucial distribution decisions, and stabilizing effect on reception were deemed vital in navigating the high-stress, prolonged rallies of the second set.
Looking Ahead to January
Both TRENTINO Itas and BERLIN Recycling Volleys successfully utilized their home court advantage to secure maximum points (3-0 wins), establishing themselves immediately as frontrunners in their respective groups. The fact that both Ljubljana and Las Palmas offered substantial resistance, despite the clean sweeps, suggests that the gap between the perceived favorites and the challengers remains tight.
The CEV Champions League Volley now takes a scheduled hiatus for the holiday season, allowing teams to regroup and strategize. When the competition resumes in early January with Leg 2, the pressure will amplify significantly, transforming these opening victories from strong starts into critical platform points for the inevitable race towards the Playoffs and quarter-finals.
Torin Vale