Strong Debuts from #CLVolleyW Squads, Upset for Novara and Budowlani Łódź

The first full week of domestic action across Europe saw most #CLVolleyW teams open their league campaigns with strong performances, underlining their early-season ambitions. While many of the continent’s top clubs secured confident wins, there were a few surprises along the way — particularly in Italy and Poland, where Milano and Budowlani Łódź stumbled.

In Italy’s Serie A1 Women, three of the nation’s four CEV Champions League Volley representatives celebrated victories in the second round of play. Defending European and Italian champions A. Carraro Prosecco Doc Conegliano delivered a commanding performance, sweeping Cuneo in straight sets (3-0: 25-18, 25-16, 26-24). Savino Del Bene Scandicci and Igor Gorgonzola Novara also maintained their perfect starts, both earning 3-1 wins to make it two in a row. The weekend’s biggest upset, however, came from Numia Vero Volley Milano, who fell to Reale Mutua Fenera Chieri ’76 after a marathon battle. The opening set alone stretched to an astonishing 70 points, and despite Paola Egonu’s 24 points, Milano were edged out 2-3 (34-36, 25-19, 23-25, 25-16, 12-15). On the winning side, Anett Németh led all scorers with a stellar 29-point performance, sealing Chieri’s first major win of the season.

Meanwhile, in Poland, a shock result unfolded in the opening week of the Tauron Liga. PGE Budowlani Łódź, one of the nation’s #CLVolleyW contenders, suffered a surprise 2-3 (23-25, 17-25, 25-20, 25-20, 11-15) home defeat to ITA TOOLS STAL Mielec. After a slow start, Łódź rallied from two sets down to force a tie-break but couldn’t complete the comeback. Rozalia Moszyńska was the standout performer for Mielec with 20 points, while Rodica Buterez posted 17 for the hosts in a losing effort.

In Turkey, the powerhouse clubs lived up to expectations, all starting the Sultanlar League with victories. The most anticipated matchup pitted VakıfBank Istanbul and Ankara Zeren Spor Kulübü, both participants in the #CLVolleyW, against each other in a spirited four-set encounter. Apart from a tight second set, VakıfBank controlled the game to win 3-1 (25-23, 26-28, 25-19, 25-13), with Marina Markova leading the charge with a standout 30-point performance. Aleksandra Uzelac contributed 18 points for Zeren, though it wasn’t enough to challenge the reigning champions. Elsewhere, Fenerbahçe Medicana Istanbul and Eczacıbaşı Dynavit Istanbul both recorded routine three-point victories, confirming their readiness for a demanding season ahead.

Across Europe, the opening week showcased both dominance and unpredictability — a perfect reminder that early-season form can set the tone for what’s to come. As the domestic campaigns gather pace, the #CLVolleyW contenders are already showing glimpses of the intensity, talent, and resilience that will soon define the continental stage.