VolleyBar38# : Wednesday July 8, 2026

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Welcome to the thirty-eighth episode of the very first daily column bringing you all the biggest volleyball news from around the world.

Let’s start in Italy, where SuperLega newcomers Prata di Pordenone—who celebrated selling 400 season tickets in just three hours—continue to strengthen their roster with great enthusiasm.
Libero Federico Guadagnini, born in 2004, joins Prata after developing through the ranks at Materdomini Castellana Grotte and is ready to embrace his first SuperLega season with excitement, determination, and a strong desire to keep improving.
“Playing in the SuperLega is a dream come true for me. Doing it with Prata makes me proud and full of energy. I know the fans here are incredible, and I can’t wait to begin this adventure,” he said in the club’s official announcement.

A player determined to leave everything on the court, he added:
“I like to give everything for the team and do whatever it takes to make sure no ball hits the floor. Our strength will be playing with courage and without fear against every opponent.”

“This team could surprise a lot of people,” said in the meantimes young middle blocker Andrea Ruzza, who has officially joined Pallavolo Padova’s first team after progressing through the club’s youth academy.

“Playing for the first team is something every young player dreams of, and for me that dream has become a reality. It’s the result of constant hard work and dedication.”

Meanwhile, Cucine Lube Civitanova, after announcing the signing of young Ukrainian opposite Maksym Tonkonoh, has now officially unveiled Bulgarian setter Simeon Nikolov.

And don’t forget that the clubs competing in the 2025/26 Serie A Credem Banca season have cast their votes to select the best Italian Under-23 players, coaches and referees of the year!

Moving to Austria, Alexander Prietzel is back in Ried.
UVC McDonald’s Ried has appointed the Austrian coach as its new head coach. After seven successful years leading Germany’s national beach volleyball program, the Steyr native returns home to take charge of last season’s Austrian runners-up.
Bringing extensive international experience and a clear coaching philosophy, he aims to build on the club’s recent success.

“I want to help every player become the best version of themselves. If what I bring is good and the athletes truly understand volleyball in every detail, then performance will follow. I don’t need talent—I need hard workers who are willing to put in the effort,” he stated.

In France, after three seasons with Paris Volley and its youth development program, Wenceslas Leclercq has officially earned a place in the club’s professional roster.
The 22-year-old outside hitter played a key role in a memorable season that saw Paris Volley win the French U21 Championship as well as the French Cup with the senior team.

Also in France, as widely expected, AS Cannes has officially announced the signing of Italian setter Alessandro Acquarone, who arrives from Italian powerhouse Trentino Volley.

Now let’s head to Poland, where Miguel Tavares will remain the setter of Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie.
The Portuguese player is set for his sixth season with the club. So far, he has made 236 appearances in the yellow-and-green jersey, with the greatest achievement of his time in Zawiercie being the club’s historic Polish Championship title.

“I’m happy to stay for another season with Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie and to play in an arena displaying the ‘Polish Champions 2025/26’ banner. We’ve achieved incredible things together, and now another chapter awaits us. I want us to focus on reaching our full potential as a team, playing great volleyball, and continuing to give our fans plenty of unforgettable emotions,” he said.

On the international stage, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has provisionally lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC), effective July 7, bringing an end to the three-year suspension.

Meanwhile, China successfully defended its title by claiming a second consecutive AVC Girls’ U18 Volleyball Championship, defeating Korea in straight sets (25:23, 25:16, 25:16).
Thailand secured the bronze medal after edging Japan in a thrilling five-set match.

And, to close the episode, Finland inflicted to The Netherlands first defeat in 2026 CEV European League!

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