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In the penultimate weekly edition of VolleyBar, we begin in France, where Paris Volley has proudly announced the return of 28-year-old French outside hitter Joachim Panou (1.97 m) for the 2026/27 season.
He previously represented the club between 2022 and 2024 and now returns to the French capital after gaining valuable experience in Turkey, Bahrain, and Poland—one of the strongest and most competitive volleyball leagues in the world.
Meanwhile, in Poland, highly experienced strength and conditioning coach Bartosz Wojtal is returning to PGE GiEK Skra Bełchatów for the 2026/27 season.
A graduate in Physiotherapy from the Opole University of Technology, his sporting career began as a volleyball player, representing clubs such as AZS Politechnika Warszawska, before transitioning into strength and conditioning in 2015. Since then, he has worked with top volleyball clubs including ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle and AZS Częstochowa, as well as football teams Raków Częstochowa and Zagłębie Lubin.
Supporters know hin well, as he was already part of the club’s staff between 2022 and 2024. During that period, he also worked with the Polish men’s national team, helping the squad win the silver medal at the 2022 FIVB World Championship, the gold medal in the 2023 Volleyball Nations League, the bronze medal in the 2024 Volleyball Nations League, and the Olympic silver medal at the Paris 2024 Games.
“I’m delighted that Bartosz is rejoining our coaching staff,” said Michał Bąkiewicz, President of KPS Skra Bełchatów. “He is a highly experienced professional who knows exactly what it takes to work at PGE GiEK Skra and understands the demands of competing at the highest level. Over the years, he has gained invaluable experience with both club teams and the Polish national team, and I’m confident his expertise and professionalism will be a major asset to our squad. His return to #TeamSkra is another important step in building a coaching staff capable of providing our players with the best possible environment to develop and compete for ambitious goals.”
Staying in Poland, Serbian opposite Božidar Vučićević, last season in Greece’s AO Floísvos, completes the roster of Stal Nysa for the 2026/2027 season.
Some movements also from Turkey: TÜRŞAD’s middle blocker Abdulsamet Sineren is officially a new player of ON Hotels Alanya Belediyespor, while outside hitter Cafer Kirkit, last season in Altekma SK, moves to Galatasaray HDI Istanbul. Four new players also for İstanbul Gençlik Spor Kulübü: libero Burak Mert, last season in Spor Toto Spor Kulübü, middle blocker Bertuğ Öndeş from Altekma SK, and outside hitters Baturalp Burak Güngör and Dutch Dick Kooy, from Kuşgöz İzmir Vinç Akkuş Belediyespor and Ziraat Bankkart, respectively.
Hosts Mongolia opened the Asian Eastern Zonal Men’s Volleyball Championship with a straight-sets victory over Hong Kong, winning 25:17, 25:21, 25:23. The home team secured its first win of the tournament in front of its home crowd.
Meanwhile, Japan secures its first victory at the competition sweeping Macao in straight sets in Pool B: 25:19, 25:18, 25:23.
Volleyball superstar Yuki Ishikawa will be honored as the Outstanding Men’s Volleyball Player at the 1st AVC Gala Awards Night on August 8, 2026, in Bangkok, Thailand.
Join Yuki as Asia celebrates its brightest volleyball stars and the outstanding achievements that defined the past season.
The pools are officially set for the 2026 CEV EuroVolley – Men!
Mark your calendars: The tournament runs from September 9-16, 2026.
Not only is the ultimate European crown on the line, but the champion team will secure a direct ticket to the LA 2028 Olympic Games!
On top of that, the Top 3 teams will qualify for the 2027 World Championship in Poland!
Here is how the battle lines are drawn across the four host countries:
Pool A (Modena, Italy):
🇮🇹| Italy
🇸🇪| Sweden
🇸🇮| Slovenia
🇨🇿| Czechia
🇬🇷| Greece
🇸🇰| Slovakia
Pool B (Sofia, Bulgaria):
🇧🇬| Bulgaria
🇲🇰| North Macedonia
🇵🇱| Poland
🇺🇦| Ukraine
🇵🇹| Portugal
🇮🇱| Israel
Pool C (Tampere, Finland):
🇫🇮| Finland
🇪🇪| Estonia
🇷🇸| Serbia
🇧🇪| Belgium
🇳🇱| Netherlands
🇩🇰| Denmark
Pool D (Cluj-Napoca, Romania):
🇷🇴| Romania
🇱🇻| Latvia
🇫🇷| France
🇩🇪| Germany
🇹🇷| Türkiye
🇨🇭| Switzerland
Who are you rooting for to take the gold, secure that LA 2028 Olympic spot, and punch their ticket to Poland?
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