VolleyBar127# : Tuesday November 10, 2026

On this day…
Plagiarism again, amarcord and volleyball birthdays, Philippe Blain, Poland a couple of interesting transfers stories, Greece and Bulgaria

Welcome to the 127th Episode of VolleyBar!
Once again today, we would like to take the opportunity to congratulate our Italian “colleagues” on their professionalism and the respect they show for other people’s work.
Of course, after copying our idea of a daily column just a few days after the first episode of VolleyBar, they continue, undeterred, to use their “Mondo Volley” substitute to rewrite in Italian the news we publish, often almost exclusively, including yesterday’s report on the African presidency and the news about the VNL being held in Sofia in 2028.
Naturally, we have never been credited as a source, not even when these same “geniuses” had a habit of publishing word-for-word Italian translations of our articles.
We will never get tired of congratulating them, especially since they proudly claim to be Italy’s number one volleyball webzine and to have been online for much longer than we have. We would like to join the chorus of “mass congratulations.”

Either way, plagiarism apart, on this day in 2009 Italy open the World Grand Champions Cup with a victory over Thailand.
The reigning European champions began their campaign in Tokyo with a straight-set win: 0–3 (25:27, 22:25, 22:25).
Italy went on to win the tournament undefeated, finishing first ahead of Brazil. 
The same day’s other women’s World Grand Champions Cup results were:
• Dominican Republic – Brazil 0–3 (23:25, 16:25, 17:25)
• Japan – South Korea 3–1 (22:25, 27:25, 25:16, 25:10).

At the 2010 Women’s World Championship in Nagoya, Italy lost to Cuba 2–3 (25:16, 24:26, 25:21, 23:25, 22:24).
The defeat dashed Italy’s hopes of reaching the medal semifinals.
Kenia Carcaces delivered an extraordinary performance for Cuba, scoring 34 points, Rachel Sánchez added 20, while Rosanna Giel finished with 16. For Italy, Serena Ortolani scored 24 and Francesca Piccinini 23. 

In the Italian men’s Serie A1, Revivre Milano beat Tonno Callipo Calabria Vibo Valentia 3–1 (23:25, 25:22, 25:22, 25:22) on November 10, 2017. Milano recovered after losing the first set to take the match.

On November 10, 2018, Imoco Volley Conegliano defeated Igor Gorgonzola Novara 3–1 (25:21, 25:17, 17:25, 25:23) to win the Italian Women’s Super Cup at the PalaVerde.
Samanta Fabris was named MVP after scoring 21 points, while Paola Egonu led Novara with 30. Conegliano claimed the fifth trophy in the club’s history and its second Super Cup title. 

November 10 has a notably varied birthday list, spanning Olympic champions, national-team veterans, current international players, coaches and refereeing figures.

Happy birthday to German setter and national-team player who competed at Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000 Christina Schultz, who turns 57 today and was born on this day in 1969. She earned 237 international caps and won multiple German league titles.

Brazilian middle blocker and Olympic champion at Barcelona 1992 Douglas Chiarotti was born on November 10 1970 and turns 56 today. He also represented Brazil at the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

Dominique Daquin turns 54 and was born in 1972. French middle blocker, member of France’s national team at the 2002 World Championship, where France won bronze, and the 2003 European Championship, where France earned silver, he competed at the Athens 2004 Olympics.

Valentina Serena turns 45 today and was born on this day in 1981. Italian setter who played for clubs in Italy and abroad, including Igtisadchi Baku, her career includes a CEV Champions League title with the Italian club Casalmaggiore in 2016.

Vietnamese middle blocker and former national-team captain, now active as a coach Nguyễn Thị Ngọc Hoa was born on November 10 1987 and turns 39 today. She spent much of her career with VTV Bình Điền Long An and also played in Thailand.

Thailand’s experienced libero and a key member of the national team for many years, Piyanut Pannoy was born on this day in 1989 and turns 37 today. Her honours include Asian Championship gold in 2013 and 2023, as well as several Southeast Asian Games titles.

Micha Hancock turns 34 today and was born on this day in 1992. American setter and two-time Olympic medallist, she won gold at Tokyo 2020 and silver at Paris 2024. Known for her powerful jump serve, she has also won two NCAA titles with Penn State.

American outside hitter NCAA champion with Texas in 2012, and currently a collegiate coach at Kent State Haley Eckerman was born on November 10 1992 too.

Jaroslav Šmíd would have been 71 (born on November 10, 1955 and died on November 25, 2020). Czechoslovak middle blocker and Olympian at Moscow 1980, he won silver at the 1985 European Championship and was inducted into the Czech Volleyball Hall of Fame.

C. L. “Bobb” Miller would have been 105 (born on November 10, 1921 and died on July 22, 2014). American international referee, coach and administrator and inducted into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame in 1995, he officiated at World Cups, World Championships, World University Games and Pan American Games, and served on the FIVB referees commission.

Soviet volleyball coach who led the USSR men’s national team to Olympic gold in 1964 and 1968 Yury Kleshchov would have been 96 (born on November 10, 1930 and died in 2005). 

Back to the present, Philippe Blain has extended his contract with Hyundai Capital Skywalkers by two years, keeping him in charge through the 2028/29 season.
The French coach made an immediate impact after arriving in Korea in 2024/25, guiding the Skywalkers to the KOVO Cup, first place in the regular season and the V-League championship.
That campaign delivered the club’s first milestone, featuring as many as 30 regular-season wins, and their first regular-season and championship double after 19 years.

In Poland, Bogdanka LUK Lublin continued its dominant start to the Tauron Liga, securing a 3-1 away victory over Indykpol AZS Olsztyn: 25:18, 25:21, 23:25, 25:20.
Ran Takahashi was named Match MVP after delivering 18 points, while Wilfredo León led all scorers with 21 points. Kewin Sasak chipped in 15 as Lublin’s attacking trio combined for an impressive 54 points.
Lublin maintains its unbeaten record and stays on top of the standings.
And we now know who will replace the injured Jan Hadrava at Energa Indykpol AZS Olsztyn!
The Olsztyn-based club has just announced the signing of Bulgarian opposite hitter Dimitar Dimitrov, who most recently played for CSKA Sofia in his homeland. He also has experience in the French, South Korean and Italian leagues. He is also a member of the Bulgarian national team.

And could Daniele Lavia’s next destination be Poland?
A move abroad remains far from certain, but the possibility has emerged as one of the latest talking points in the European volleyball transfer market. According to our verified sources, the Italian outside hitter has reportedly received an offer from PGE Projekt Warszawa, the Polish club coached by Roberto Piazza and featuring Italian opposite Yuri Romanò, although no official confirmation has emerged from either club or the player.

Meanwhile Bulgaria and Greece have signed a memorandum in Sofia to strengthen volleyball cooperation through coach exchanges, joint training sessions, access to national-team practices and the development of young specialists.
The agreement also includes collaboration in sports science, injury prevention, youth development, friendly matches and tournaments. Greek coaches will have access to Bulgarian national-team training sessions, while Bulgarian specialists will be able to participate in Greek coaching seminars and educational programmes, including online courses featuring world-renowned experts.
One of the key proposals is the creation of a Balkan association of volleyball coaching organisations, potentially involving Bulgaria, Greece, Serbia, Türkiye and other countries. The initiative aims to share different coaching methodologies and expand opportunities for young coaches to learn from leading international specialists.
The first joint activities are being discussed, although specific dates and formats have yet to be confirmed. The memorandum marks a step towards stronger regional collaboration and the exchange of expertise across Balkan volleyball.

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