VolleyBar129# : Thursday November 12, 2026

On this day…
amarcord and volleyball birthdays, injuries in Verona and Narbonne, Montpellier’s support to Perugia, Portugal National Team e Korea.

Welcome to the 129th Episode of VolleyBar!
November 12 produced a particularly strong day of international volleyball, with six matches across Sapporo and Okayama. Italy’s victory over Brazil was one of the highlights. 

In third round of 2011 FIVB Women’s World Cup in Japan, in Sapporo, Italy delivered a convincing straight-set win over Brazil 3–0 (25:23, 25:16, 25:22), an important result in the race for the World Cup podium.
China defeated Serbia 3–1 (21:25, 25:19, 25:23, 25:23), recovering after losing the opening set and edged two close sets to finish the match in four.
Meanwhile, the hosts Japan sweep South Korea 3–0 (25:21, 25:18, 25:17) claiming a clean win in the East Asian rivalry.
In Okayama, in a dramatic five-set contest, including a 30–28 opening set and a decisive 15–12 tie-break
Dominican Republic defeated Germany 3–2 (30:28, 22:25, 25:14, 18:25, 15:12).
Argentina had to work hard in the first set before taking control against Kenya, eventually winning the game 3–0 (26:24, 25:13, 25:16), while USA sweep Algeria 3–0 (25:12, 25:12, 25:9) in a dominant performance.
The Dominican Republic–Germany match is worth a special note for its momentum swings: Germany came back twice, but the Dominican side prevailed in the fifth set.

Siegfried Schneider, a significant figure from the former East German national team, turns 87 today!
He was born on 12 November 1939, he competed at the 1968 Olympics, where East Germany finished fourth, and won Olympic silver in Munich in 1972. 

Maximiliano Chirivino turns 37 today and was born on this day in 1989.
A former Argentina national-team setter, his career included Puerto San Martín, Boca Río Uruguay Seguros, Bolívar and Lomas Vóley and even spells in France with Saint Nazaire, Sète and Toulouse. Currently he played in Czech club VK Lvi Praha. 

Korean setter who was called up to the collegiate national team for the 2015 U23 World Championship and later earned the KOVO V-League Rookie of the Year award, Hwang Taek-eui, turns 30 today and was born on 12 November 1996.

Japan international who rose through the University of Tsukuba and NEC Red Rockets Kawasaki, Yoshino Sato, was born on November 12, 2001 and turns 25 today. She was named MVP of the 2026 AVC Women’s Champions League and moved to Vero Volley Milano for 2026–27.

Back to the present, Verona Volley announces that, following the surgery he underwent in the United States, Micah Christenson has suffered a muscular issue involving the popliteus muscle, which has slowed down his recovery process.
The player is being constantly monitored by the club’s medical and physiotherapy staff and is following a specific rehabilitation programme aimed at achieving a full recovery, which is expected to be completed in the coming weeks.
Lorenzo Cortesia, who sustained an injury while training with the national team, is recovering from the injury that has kept him sidelined since August. He could rejoin the training group in the coming weeks.

No clubs, no players, no volleyball.
Also Champions of France Montpellier stand alongside Sir Safety Perugia and fully supports the European clubs’ mobilisation against the international calendar proposal for 2028–2032 put forward by the FIVB.
Players’ health, respect for recovery periods and the preservation of domestic championships must remain top priorities.
Defending the players means defending volleyball and its future.
Standing alongside Sir Safety Perugia and all the clubs advocating for sustainable volleyball that respects everyone involved.

Meanwhile, Narbonne announces the absence of Simon Gill for this Saturday’s home match against Nice. The length of his absence has yet to be determined, with further medical examinations scheduled for next Monday to assess the situation.
But, after missing the match against Tours, middle blocker Ben Braun will be back in action.

The Portuguese Men’s Senior National Team begins a new cycle with the return of Hugo Silva as head coach of the national team.
Following a historic spell in charge of the Women’s National Team, highlighted by winning the Silver League in 2024 and qualifying for the Round of 16 at EuroVolley 2026, the Portuguese coach now embraces the challenge of restoring competitiveness, identity and ambition to the men’s team, which he previously led for almost a decade.

In Korea, Hyundai Capital has officially seized first place in the V-League standings after securing a 3-1 away victory over Ansan OK: 25:23 18:25 25:23 25:16.
Shaking off a loss in their season opener, Hyundai Capital is now riding a dominant three-game winning streak. The offense was spearheaded by Chinese Jiang Chuan, led all scorers with a massive 28 points to power past the OK Savings Bank defense and guarantee all three points for the league leaders.
Meanwhile, Woori Card pulled off a thrilling 3-2 victory over Korean Air in a home match of the 2026-27 HK Heungkuk Financial V-League Men’s Division: 18:25, 25:22, 25:16, 22:25, 15:12.
After dropping the opening set, Woori Card fought back to complete the comeback and extend its winning streak to three consecutive matches.
Han Sung-jeong and Kim Dong-young led Woori Card’s offense with 18 and 16 points, respectively.

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