Arkas IZMIR seize BVA Cup crown to secure Challenge Cup spot

Türkiye’s Arkas IZMIR emerged victorious from the 2024 edition of the men’s Balkan Cup organised by the Balkan Volleyball Association (BVA) this past weekend in Thessaloniki, Greece. 

The competition featured six teams from just as many countries across the BVA – namely Bulgaria, Greece, Kosovo, Romania, Serbia, and Türkiye. Arkas had defeated Steaua BUCURESTI of Romania and Radnicki KRAGUJEVAC of Serbia in Pool B to advance to the final where they needed three sets only to top Pool A winners Beroe 2016 STARA ZAGORA of Bulgaria (25-22, 25-15, 25-18) with their German superstar György Grozer recording 15 points in the process. 

Following their triumph in Thessaloniki, Arkas have secured their participation in the CEV Volleyball Challenge Cup 2025, where they will start their campaign in the 32nd Finals against last year’s semi-finalists AKAA Volley of Finland. 

This way Arkas will continue to compete in the European Cups for yet another season – they have done so without any break since they made their first appearance in the 2005/2006 edition of the CEV Cup. Arkas celebrated their only European triumph to this day in 2009 when they won the CEV Challenge Cup on home soil. Most recently, they reached the semis of the CEV Cup this past season where they lost to Germany’s sensation SVG LÜNEBURG.