VolleyBar36# : Monday July 6, 2026
5 min read
If you wish to publish an Italian translation of this article, any of our other articles, or any part of them, please cite the original source. Plagiarism is illegal!
Good evening!
Weâve reached the 36th edition of VolleyBar, andâjust as a reminder to our longtime readers, and especially to those discovering us for the first timeâwe were the very first to create a daily roundup covering the biggest volleyball stories of the day.
Of course, plenty of others have followed our lead without much hesitation. Now that the transfer market is almost over and our focus will gradually shift to other volleyball news, weâre curious to see just how far our Italian friends will continue copying our format in their own âpress reviewâ or roundup.
The week, unfortunately, began with heartbreaking news following the tragic death of Willner Rivas and his family. Our thoughts are with everyone affected, and we hope this first edition of the week can also bring you some more positive stories to close on a brighter note.
The first piece of good news comes from Poland, where PGE Projekt Warszawa has made it clear that outside hitter Bartosz Bednorz isnât going anywhere!
âBartek is under contract and, as planned, will represent our club in both the domestic league and European competitions next season. Even a bad day in Warsaw is still better than a good day anywhere else” said the club’s official statement.
Another news from Poland, where Barkom-Kazhany Lviv will compete under new regulations in PlusLiga. Starting with the upcoming season, the club will be allowed to sign Polish players, whoâalongside Ukrainian playersâwill be considered domestic athletes.
There is good news from Italy as well, where SuperLega newcomers Tinet Prata di Pordenone continue to strengthen their squad with the signing of Jacopo Larizza. The experienced middle blocker arrives after more than ten seasons in Serie A, having won both the Italian Championship and the Italian Cup with Lube Civitanova, while bringing a wealth of SuperLega experience.
âWe want to work hard, compete at the highest level and make our fans proud. Your support will be crucial, so come out and fill the arenaâI canât wait to meet you all,â he said.
More positive news comes from Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza, who have officially promoted 2008-born libero Francesco Rizzo to the first team for the 2026/27 season.
After spending last year developing between the clubâs youth system, Serie C, the Under-19 team and training with the senior squad during preseason, Rizzo now takes the next major step in his career by earning a permanent place on the SuperLega roster.
âMoving from the youth academy to the first team is every young playerâs dream. Iâm approaching this challenge with humility, determination and a strong desire to prove that I belong on such an important stage,â he said.
The good news continues in Germany, where one of the world’s greatest liberos Erik Shoji has officially rejoined Berlin Recycling Volleys on a contract through 2027.
After successful spells in Russia, Italy, and Poland, along with two CEV Champions League titles, the American defensive star returns to Berlin, where he previously made his mark.
A huge signing for the German champions!
But also in Japan, where Cuban national team outside hitter Miguel LĂłpez has officially renewed his contract with Osaka Bluteon for the 2026/27 SV.League season.
After another impressive campaign, he will continue his journey with one of Japan’s top clubs, bringing his explosive attacking power, athleticism, and international experience back to Osaka.
A fan favorite and one of the league’s premier outside hitters, he is ready to help Osaka Bluteon chase more success in the upcoming season!
So, really only good news today!
Also about International volleyball, with Japan that makes Volleyball Nations League history, as Yuki Ishikawa and Yuji Nishida now hold the top two spots on the all-time Volleyball Nations League scoring list, cementing their legacy as two of the greatest players in the competition’s history!
Even more remarkably, Ishikawa and Nishida are two of only three players in VNL history to surpass the 1,000-point milestone, highlighting their incredible consistency and world-class performances over the years.
What an incredible era for Japanese volleyball!
And now some individual awards and another collection of daily good news, with Ferhat AkbaĹ named the Volleyball Coach of the Year at the Inaugural AVC Gala 2026. The Turkish coach earned this prestigious recognition for his exceptional leadership throughout the 2025 season, guiding the Japanese women’s national team to the semifinals of both the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship and the 2025 Volleyball Nations League (VNL).
Tebrikler, Coach Ferhat AkbaĹ!
Meanwhile, Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan were named the Most Outstanding Men’s Beach Volleyball Players in Asia at the same event.
The Qatari duo earned this prestigious recognition after an exceptional 2025 season, delivering outstanding performances and continuing to establish themselves as one of the world’s top beach volleyball teams.
ŘŁŮŮ Ů
بعŮŮ Ř´ŘąŮŮ ŮŮŮŘł ŮŘŁŘŮ
ŘŻ ŘŞŮ؏اŮ!
While, always about Yuki Ishikawa and Japan, he was named the Most Outstanding Men’s Volleyball Player in Asia.
The captain of the Japanese men’s national team received this prestigious recognition for his outstanding performances throughout the 2025 season.
çłĺˇçĽĺ¸é¸ćăăăă§ă¨ă!
Other awards belong to Asami Shiba and Reika Murakami, named the Most Outstanding Women’s Beach Volleyball Players, Mayu Ishikawa, named the Most Outstanding Women’s Volleyball Player, Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons, voted the Fans’ Choice Beach Volleyball Players and the Olympic gold medalist and Olympic MVP Zhu Ting (ćąĺŠˇ), voted the Fans’ Choice Volleyball Player at the Inaugural AVC Gala 2026!
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