VolleyBar44# : Thursday July 16, 2026

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!

44th episode of VolleyBar, and with very little left happening on the volleyball transfer market, we’re becoming increasingly curious to see which stories our Italian friends will copy next (after the idea of a daily column rounding up the day’s biggest news and the word-for-word translations of many of our articles).

With one of us writing directly from Belgrade during the third week of the 2026 Volleyball Nations League, let’s get started today with France, where the volleyball community is mourning the passing of Michel Chamauret.
Tours Volley Ball Entreprise and Tours Volley Ball announced with great sadness the death of the club’s iconic president for seven seasons, from 2011 to 2018, before continuing as a member of the club’s board of directors.
Known for his sense of humor, love of singing, passion for good food and wine, and his enthusiasm as a genealogist, Chamauret was a tireless organizer of club events and someone who always sought to bring people together.
The club extended its sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.

In Italy, Claudio Durigon was elected President of the Italian Men’s Volleyball League (Lega Pallavolo Serie A) during the annual Volley Mercato event in Bologna.

“I will do my best to repay this trust by putting my institutional experience, the relationships I have built over the years, and above all my daily commitment at the service of the league. Over the past few months I have had the opportunity to get to know President Massimo Righi. To me, he will always be ‘the President.’ From the very beginning we built a relationship based on mutual respect, collaboration and friendship. He made me even more passionate about this sport, helping me understand just how much work, expertise and dedication lie behind a reality that many people only experience through what happens on the court,” he said.

In Poland, PGE GiEK Skra Bełchatów has signed experienced libero Adam Kowalski for the 2026/27 PlusLiga season.
A graduate of the Polish Volleyball Federation’s academy in Spała and developed at Norwid Częstochowa, he began his senior career with Cerrad Czarni Radom before also playing for AZS Częstochowa and Chemik Bydgoszcz. In 2019, he moved to Berlin Recycling Volleys, where he enjoyed the most successful period of his career.
During his time in Germany, he won five Bundesliga titles, four German Cups, and five German Super Cups, while also reaching the CEV Champions League quarterfinals on four occasions.
He returned to Poland in 2025 with Stal Nysa, making 27 appearances during the 2025/26 campaign and recording a 52% reception efficiency. This season he joins Skra Bełchatów, where he will share libero duties with Maksym Kędzierski.

Club president Michał Bąkiewicz welcomed the signing:
“Adam is a highly experienced player who spent many years at one of Europe’s strongest clubs and has consistently competed at the highest level. We believe his quality, composure and confidence will bring great value to our team. We are delighted he has chosen to join PGE GiEK Skra Bełchatów and are convinced we will fight together to achieve our ambitious goals this season.”

There is also good news for Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie, as Aaron Russell will remain with the club for a third consecutive season.
The American outside hitter has already made 102 appearances in the yellow-and-green jersey, scoring 1,402 points, and was recently voted the Best Foreign Player in PlusLiga.

“I’m very happy to be returning to the team. Last season was a huge success, and I’m incredibly motivated for another year as we continue building on what we’ve achieved together. From the very beginning, the club, the coaching staff and my teammates made me feel special, and my family and I have been fortunate to call Zawiercie our home. I can’t wait for more success and to keep representing these green and yellow colors” he said.

In Greece, Olympiacos announced the contract extension of international middle blocker Vangelis Vaiopoulos, who will remain part of the club’s men’s volleyball team for another season.

In Brazil, a new era has officially begun at Sada Cruzeiro. The reigning Superliga champions have gathered in Belo Horizonte to begin preparations for the 2026/27 season, welcoming back club legend Yoandy Leal, who returns eight years after leaving the team. His comeback is already one of the most intriguing storylines of the upcoming South American season.

Finally, the 6th SEA V Cup – Leg 1 got underway with plenty of excitement.
Cambodia claimed the first victory in the tournament’s history by defeating hosts Alas Pilipinas in a thrilling five-set match, 25:23, 28:30, 25:20, 22:25, 15:8. The historic win also keeps Cambodia firmly in the race for the semifinals, while the Philippines must now beat Indonesia to stay alive.

Thailand secured its place in the semifinals with a convincing straight-set victory over Myanmar (25:15, 25:16, 25:19), leaving Myanmar needing a win over Vietnam in its final pool match.

Earlier, reigning AVC Cup champions Indonesia opened their campaign with a straight-set victory over Cambodia in Pool A, winning 25:18, 25:18, 25:21.

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