Teams from four countries still in contention for #CEVCupW title

Teams from four countries – Germany, Italy, Türkiye, and Romania – remain in contention for the #CEVCupW trophy after completion of the quarterfinals earlier this week. This group includes a side – Germany’s DRESDNER SC – that earlier this season contested the group stage of the elite CEV ZEREN Group Champions League Volley 2026. 

Even though they failed to progress to the knockout phase of the #CLVolleyW, DRESDNER SC resumed their journey in European competitions with much swing as they recorded two 3-0 victories in their quarterfinal matches with France’s Volley MULHOUSE Alsace. Their Latvian-born opposite hitter Marta Kamelija Levinska top scored at home as well as in France to pave the way for her side’s double triumph. 

Their next opponent will be Italy’s Reale Mutua Fenera CHIERI ’76. The team coached by Nicola Negro did concede only one set in their two fixtures with Poland’s PGE Budowlani  ŁÓDŹ – looking extremely dominant especially in the return match at home where Stella Nervini top scored with 10 points. CHIERI are in contention for their third continental title after winning the Challenge Cup in 2023 and the CEV Cup in 2024 – before finishing as Challenge Cup runners-up last year to their compatriots representing ROMA Volley. 

The other semi-final will feature Türkiye’s Galatasaray Daikin ISTANBUL and C.S.O. VOLUNTARI 2005 of Romania. The Romanian side has progressed to the semis of a European competition for the first time in their history after a double 3-1 win over their domestic rivals CS Volei Alba BLAJ in the quarterfinals. Galatasaray, on the other hand, have an impressive record in the CEV European Cups – but they are still chasing their first international trophy. They previously reached the final of the CEV Cup in 2012 as well as in 2021 – losing those finals to Italy’s Yamamay BUSTO ARSIZIO and Saugella MONZA, respectively. If they make it through the semis, they will be trying to finally seize that elusive trophy. 

The action in the #CEVCupW resumes with the semis scheduled for March 10-12 (home matches) and a week later (return matches). The very fact that three teams relegated from the group stage of the #CLVolleyW did not progress to the semis speaks volumes for the ever-improving level and competitiveness of the CEV Cup.