Playoff Stage About to Begin in Poland, Rematches in German Quarterfinals

As the #CLVolleyM semifinals remain on the horizon, Europe's strongest teams continue their pursuit of domestic glory. This weekend, two semifinalists of the most prestigious tournament of the continent from Poland will begin their national playoff campaigns, while the semifinal picture will take further shape in Germany, though some series may extend to later rounds. With crucial matches across the continent, the battle for league titles is heating up.

In Poland, two CEV Champions League Volley semifinalists of the country will enter the PlusLiga quarterfinals. First, defending champions and regular-season leaders Jastrzębski Węgiel will take the court against Norwid Częstochowa. Having dominated throughout the season, Jastrzębski is the clear favorite and will aim to start their title defense with a strong 1-0 lead in the series. However, Częstochowa, playing as the underdog, has nothing to lose and will look to challenge the powerhouse with an upset performance.

On Saturday, the other #CLVolleyM semifinalist, Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie, will begin their quarterfinal battle against Asseco Resovia Rzeszów. Zawiercie secured third place in the regular season and enters the matchup as the stronger side, but Resovia has consistently proven to be a resilient competitor. A victory in the first game would give Zawiercie a valuable advantage as they push toward the semifinals, but Resovia will be eager to turn the tide and put pressure on their higher-ranked opponent.

Meanwhile, in Germany, the 1. Bundesliga quarterfinals will see crucial clashes this weekend as teams compete for a place in the semifinals. Helios Grizzlys Giesen has already secured a spot in the Final Four, while Berlin Recycling Volleys, SVG Lüneburg, and VfB Friedrichshafen remain the leading contenders to join them. However, with fierce competition, their opponents will do everything possible to force decisive third matches and keep their championship hopes alive. The battle for the Bundesliga title is still open, with some matchups likely to extend into the coming week.

With playoff action intensifying across the continent, the stakes are higher than ever. As teams fight for a place in their respective semifinals, every set will be crucial in determining who stays in the race for both national and European glory.