Vallefoglia crown historic campaign with #CEVChallengeCupW triumph in Athens
Recap
Megabox Group Vallefoglia completed a remarkable journey by claiming the CEV Challenge Cup 2026 Women title after a commanding 3-0 victory over Panathinaikos Athens in the second leg of the final in Athens on Wednesday night. The Italian side sealed the trophy in front of nearly 3,000 spectators, adding to their first-leg success and writing a historic chapter for the club.
Vallefoglia entered the match knowing that a solid performance would be enough to secure the title, and they delivered from the outset. The visitors controlled the opening set 25-20, applying consistent pressure with their serve and block to keep the home side at bay.
The second set proved to be the turning point of the match and ultimately of the final. Panathinaikos raised their level and pushed Vallefoglia to the limit in a tense battle that extended to 27-25. Despite the roaring support of the Greek fans, the Italian side showed composure in the decisive rallies to double their lead and move within touching distance of the trophy.
With momentum firmly on their side, Vallefoglia dominated the third set 25-16 to close the match and secure the title after 89 minutes of play. Opposite hitter Erblira Bici once again led the way with an outstanding 23 points, earning MVP honours, while Loveth Omoruyi added 10 points and played a key role in crucial moments. Chiara De Bortoli anchored the backcourt with an excellent 60% perfect reception, ensuring stability throughout the match.
For Panathinaikos, Haylie Bennett and Monika Lampkowska both scored 13 points, but the hosts struggled to cope with the physicality and consistency of their opponents. Despite strong support from the stands, the Greek side could not maintain pressure over the full duration of the match.
Alessandro Chiappini"We knew very well that we had a very difficult final ahead of us. Unfortunately, we were unable to control the rhythm of the game, and we made some crucial mistakes during the second set. On the other hand, beyond the disappointment of the lost final, we feel immense pride for how far we brought this team in Europe. I want to say a huge thank you to the fans for tonight; they were fantastic once again. We now move forward, focusing on our goal of winning the championship."
Head Coach of Panathinaikos
Penny Rogka"First of all, I want to say a big thank you to our fans for the support they showed us again tonight. Regarding the match, unfortunately, we couldn't keep up with the pace at critical moments. Vallefoglia is a great opponent, but we have also returned to the level of European finals, which is significant."
Player of Panathinaikos
Loveth Omoruyi“This feels amazing. Winning here in front of so many people was so warm… It’s a really good night for us because it’s historical. The second set was tough for us, but we fought together as a team and came out really strong.”
Player of Vallefoglia
For Vallefoglia, the victory marks their first European trophy in the club’s history, completing a dream debut campaign on the continental stage and confirming their rise among Europe’s elite.