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Welcome to the 43rd episode of VolleyBar, where 50% of our team (that is, Danijel!!) will be reporting live from Belgrade, Serbia, in between matches during the final and decisive week of the 2026 Volleyball Nations League!
Another key piece has been confirmed for Tinet Prata di Pordenone’s first-ever SuperLega season: outside hitter David Umek from Trieste.
“Playing in Italy’s biggest arenas and facing the best players in the world is an incredible opportunity. I’m truly honored to experience all of this wearing the Tinet jersey.”
For David, the formula is simple:
“We’ll need to be a resilient team, always ready to give more than 100% in both training and matches, and never give up.”
Meanwhile, 2005-born middle blocker Federico Frassanella, one of Italy’s most promising young talents, has also joined the newly promoted club. A product of the Trentino Volley academy, he said: “The SuperLega is the league every player dreams of reaching. It’s a huge step, and I can’t wait to get started.”
Daniel Iyegbekedo will wear the Gas Sales Bluenergy Volley Piacenza jersey again next season.
After saying goodbye to the club a few weeks ago to return to France, where he had already signed with Chaumont, the young middle blocker is now heading back to Piacenza.
Last December, he spent several days training at the PalabancaSport under head coach Dante Boninfante as part of the France Avenir development program, which gives its young prospects the opportunity to complete training stints abroad during the holiday break.
Then, in January 2026, he officially joined Piacenza to cover for the absences of Robertlandy Simon and Gianluca Galassi, remaining with the club through the end of the season under Boninfante.
“I’m very happy to return to Piacenza and continue playing for such a competitive and young team. I felt great here, I’ve grown tremendously both as a player and as a person, and I can’t wait to get back to work in such a positive environment. I’ll give everything I have to earn as much court time as possible and help the team achieve new and important goals. Winning the CEV Volleyball Cup is still a very special memory for me,” he said in the club’s official statement.
Ninni De Nicolo, Sporting Director of Gas Sales Bluenergy Volley Piacenza, commented:
“Daniel’s return makes us especially proud of the work we did last season. He arrived from France Avenir, the team competing in the French Ligue A2, and in just a few months he made extraordinary progress, earning a place in the SuperLega and becoming a starter for the French national team. Today, Daniel is one of Europe’s brightest young middle blockers, and we’re delighted to have him back. Both sides strongly wanted this reunion: there was a mutual desire to continue the journey we began last season, which produced excellent results and, we’re convinced, will bring us even more success.”
Meanwhile, Piacenza has also said goodbye to middle blocker Joris Seddik after one season and a CEV Volleyball Cup title. And guess what?
Chaumont has officially confirmed that Daniel Iyegbekedo will no longer join the club for the 2026/27 season after an agreement was reached allowing him to pursue a new sporting opportunity with his former club—and has welcomed Joris Seddik as his replacement!
Still in Italy, the official SuperLega team rosters have now been released!
The final and decisive week of the 2026 Volleyball Nations League got underway today in Osaka, where our Danilo is on site, Belgrade, and Chicago, where Ivan will be covering the action.
Here are a few highlights without diving into the individual articles.
From Japan, Cuba earned a crucial first victory in its fight to avoid relegation, sweeping Belgium in straight sets to improve to 1-8.
Meanwhile, Japan remains the only unbeaten team in the competition after edging Italy in a thrilling five-set battle.
Iran’s leading scorer, Poriya Khanzadeh, had to be carried off the court after an awkward landing following a back-row attack during Iran’s match against Ukraine.
We’re hoping it’s nothing serious and wish him a speedy recovery.
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