Challenge Cup: Budva dominate, Maribor impress away, and two dramatic tie-breaks headline a busy 32th Finals European night

‼️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 ⛔️

The 2026/27 CEV Challenge Cup continued on Wednesday, November 11, with twelve matches played across the old continent as clubs from a wide range of national leagues began their European campaigns in the competition’s 32nd Finals.
The evening featured dominant home performances, important away victories and two particularly dramatic five-set encounters, underlining the unpredictable nature of the opening round.

One of the most convincing performances came in Montenegro, where Budva swept aside Bulgaria’s Lokomotiv Avia Plovdiv in straight sets, 25:16, 25:16, 25:14. The Montenegrin champions controlled the match from the outset, leaving their opponents with very little opportunity to build momentum. Former Montenegrin national-team captain Vojin Ćaćić led the scoring with 17 points, while Cuban opposite Augusto Renato Colito added 15. On the Bulgarian side, Zhulien Georgiev was the most productive player with 16 points. Budva’s performance was particularly impressive in its consistency: Plovdiv managed to keep the score level only briefly in each set. The return leg will take place in Bulgaria on November 18, with Budva holding a strong advantage ahead of the decisive encounter.

Estonia also celebrated a significant victory as Pärnu VC defeated VK Slovan Bratislava 3-0 (25:22, 27:25, 25:21). The Slovakian side arrived with considerable European experience after reaching the Challenge Cup semifinals in the previous season, but Pärnu made the most of its home advantage. The second set proved especially important, as the Estonian team edged a closely contested battle 27-25 before completing the sweep. With the return match scheduled for November 19 in Bratislava, Slovan will need a substantial response to keep its European campaign alive.
Another noteworthy away success was achieved by OK i-Vent Maribor, who defeated MOK Dinamo Zagreb 3-1 (25:18, 25:19, 16:25, 25:21). The Slovenian team took control by winning the opening two sets, while the team from Croatia briefly revived the contest with a convincing third-set response. Maribor, however, regained its composure and closed the match in the fourth set, securing an important advantage ahead of the second leg.
Hapoel Mate-Asher Akko also enjoyed a successful European outing, defeating Croatian hosts MOK Mursa Osijek 3-0 (25:19, 25:20, 25:16). The Israeli side delivered a solid performance across all three sets, gradually widening the gap and preventing Osijek from mounting a serious comeback. The match was played at the Gradski Vrt Small Hall in Osijek, where 250 spectators witnessed the encounter, and second leg is scheduled
already tomorrow on the same venue due situation in Israel.
In Austria, SK Zadruga Aich/Dob produced another clean-sheet result, overcoming Norway’s Nordenskov UIF 3-0 (25:19, 25:15, 25:20). Aich/Dob established its superiority particularly in the second set, where the 25-15 scoreline reflected the home side’s ability to maintain pressure, with Andre Pereira who left the court as top scorer with 14 points. The Austrian club will travel to Denmark for the return leg on November 18 with a comfortable lead in the tie.
Croatia’s Ribola Kaštela also made the most of its home court, defeating Austria’s UVC Holding Graz 3-0 (25:18, 25:21, 25:20). The Croatian team maintained control throughout the encounter, avoiding the complications of a fourth set and establishing a clear advantage before the return match.

Spain’s Cisneros Alter La Laguna also secured a home victory, although the match against Luxembourg’s VC Stroossen required a little more patience. The Tenerife side won 3-1 (25:21, 25:15, 25:27, 25:13), taking the first two sets before Stroossen fought back to claim a dramatic third set, 27-25. Cisneros responded emphatically in the fourth, restoring control and completing the match with a 25-13 finish. The result gives the Spanish team a useful advantage before the return encounter in Luxembourg.

The evening’s first major thriller unfolded in Switzerland, where TSV Jona survived a five-set battle against Hungary’s MÁV Előre Székesfehérvár, winning 3-2 (25:18, 23:25, 25:20, 16:25, 16:14). Jona started strongly, but the Hungarian visitors repeatedly found ways to level the match. After exchanging sets and reaching a deciding fifth, the teams produced a tense finale in which Jona eventually prevailed by the narrowest of margins, 16-14. With the return leg set for November 19 in Hungary, the tie remains very much open.

A Finnish derby added another interesting storyline to the European night. AC Oulu defeated Leomuovi Akaa Volley 3-1 (23:25, 25:23, 25:16, 25:17), overturning an opening-set defeat to claim an important away win. Akaa had initially taken the lead, but Oulu responded immediately in the second set before growing increasingly dominant. The third and fourth sets were particularly convincing, as the visitors pulled away to secure three consecutive set victories. The matchup was already familiar from domestic competition, where the two teams had met in a five-set league encounter in October, won by Akaa. The return leg will be played in Oulu on November 18, and the Finnish federation has confirmed that if each team wins one match, a Golden Set will determine qualification.

The most dramatic result of the night, however, came in Spain, where Karađorđe Topola claimed a memorable 3-2 away victory over Grupo Herce Río Duero Soria (25:18, 15:25, 15:25, 25:23, 16:14). The Serbian visitors opened the match strongly, but Soria responded with two dominant sets to turn the contest around. Karađorđe then recovered in the fourth, forcing a tie-break that remained tight until the final points. The Serbian side eventually edged the deciding set 16-14, taking a valuable victory on Spanish soil. The return match will be played in Topola on November 18. The Serbian Volleyball Federation had already highlighted Karađorđe’s European debut in this season’s Challenge Cup, making the result an especially important milestone for the club.

Azerbaijan’s Ordu Baku delivered one of the most emphatic away performances of the evening, sweeping Norway’s Førde VBK 3-0 (25:11, 25:17, 25:19). The opening set was particularly one-sided, with Baku allowing the Norwegian side only 11 points. Førde improved in the following sets, but the visitors remained firmly in control and completed a straightforward victory.

The final match of the evening saw Belgian club Lindemans Aalst defeat Dutch side Prima Donna Kaas Huizen 3-1 (25:16, 23:25, 25:23, 25:19). Huizen managed to level the match by taking the second set, but Aalst responded by winning a closely contested third set before closing the encounter in the fourth. The Belgian side thus secured an important away result, although the return match will still offer Huizen an opportunity to fight back.

Wednesday’s Challenge Cup action offered a clear reminder of how varied the competition can be. Budva, Pärnu, Aich/Dob, Hapoel Mate-Asher, Ribola Kaštela and Ordu Baku all delivered convincing straight-set victories, while Maribor, AC Oulu and Lindemans Aalst earned valuable wins away from home. At the other end of the spectrum, TSV Jona and Karađorđe Topola emerged from nerve-racking tie-breaks with victories that could prove decisive in their respective ties.
With the return legs approaching, the opening matches have established several intriguing scenarios. Some teams will travel with a considerable advantage, while others will need to produce a much stronger performance to remain in contention. The Challenge Cup’s next chapter promises to be just as compelling, as clubs across Europe continue their pursuit of continental success.

____________________

🏆| 2026/27 CEV Challenge Cup | 32th Finals

FIRST LEG

Tuesday November 10, 2026
📍SH Sokol Brno I
• 18.00 (Local Time) | Volejbal Brno (CZE) – KV Luboteni Ferizaj (KOS) 3-0 (25:13, 25:18, 25:17)
📍Mestska Sportova Hala Komárno
• 19.00 (Local Time) | Rieker UJS Komárno (SVK) – Buducnost Podgorica (MNE) 3-0 (25:23, 25:21, 25:18)
📍Sports Hall “Breza” Gornji Milanovac
• 19.00 (Local Time) | Takovo Gornji Milanovac (SRB) – Robezsardze/RSU Riga (LAT) 3-0 (25:16, 26:24, 25:17)
📍Sparkassen-Arena Hildesheim
• 19.00 (Local Time) | Helios Grizzlys Giesen (GER) – OFI Crete Herakleion (GRE) 3-0 (25:17, 25:20, 25:19)
📍Hall des Sports Lorentzweiler
• 19.30 (Local Time) | VC Lorentzweiler (LUX) – BK Tromsø (NOR) 3-0 (25:19, 25:17, 25:17)
📍Linth Arena Näfels
• 19.30 (Local Time) | Axpo Volley Näfels (SUI) – Bigbank Tartu (EST) 2-3 (15:25, 22:25, 25:20, 25:18, 13:15)

👉🏼Wednesday November 11, 2026
📍Sports Hall Pärnu
• 18.00 (Local Time) | Pärnu VC (EST) – VK Slovan Bratislava (SVK) 3-0 (25:22, 27:25, 25:21)
📍Mediteranski Sportski Centar Budva
• 18.00 (Local Time) | Budva (MNE) – Lokomotiv Avia Plovdiv (BUL) 3-0 (25:16, 25:16, 25:14)
📍SSD Trnsko Zagreb
• 18.00 (Local Time) | MOK Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) – OK i-Vent Maribor (SLO) 1-3 (18:25, 19:25, 25:16, 21:25)
📍Nastavno-Sportska Dvorana Gradski Vrt – Small Hall Osijek
• 18.00 (Local Time) | Hapoel Mate-Asher Akko (ISR) – MOK Mursa Osijek (CRO) 3-0 (25:19, 25:20, 25:16)
📍Jufa Arena Bleiburg
• 19.00 (Local Time) | SK Zadruga Aich/Dob (AUT) – Nordenskov UIF (NOR) 3-0 (25:19, 25:15, 25:20)
📍Palacio de los Deportes Quico Cabrera Santa Cruz de Tenerife
• 19.00 (Local Time) | Cisneros Altes La Laguna (ESP) – VC Stroossen (LUX) 3-1 (25:21, 25:15, 25:27, 25:13)
📍Sporthalle Grünfeld Jona
• 19.00 (Local Time) | TSV Jona (SUI) – MÁV Elore Székesfehérvár (HUN) 3-2 (25:18, 23:25, 25:20, 16:25, 16:14)
📍Akaa Arena
• 19.00 (Local Time) | Leomuovi Akaa Volley (FIN) – AC Oulu (FIN) 1-3 (25:23, 23:25, 16:25, 17:25)
📍Gradska Sportska Dvorana Sokolana Kastel Sucurac
• 19.00 (Local Time) | Ribola Kaštela (CRO) – UVC Holding Graz (AUT) 3-0 (25:18, 25:21, 25:20)
📍Pabellon de Los Pajaritos Soria
• 19.30 (Local Time) | Grupo Herce Río Duero Soria (ESP) – Karađorđe Topola (SRB) 2-3 (18:25, 25:15, 25:15, 23:25, 14:16)
📍Oyrane Arena Forde
• 19.30 (Local Time) | Forde VBK (NOR) – Ordu Baku (AZE) 0-3 (11:25, 17:25, 19:25)
📍Wolfskamer Huizen
• 20.00 (Local Time) | Prima Donna Kaas Huizen (NED) – Lindemans Aalst (BEL) 1-3 (16:25, 25:23, 23:25, 19:25)

Thursday November 12, 2026
📍Vexve Areena Sastamala
• 18.30 (Local Time) | Ford Levoranta Sastamala (FIN) – VC Strumica (MKD)

Tuesday November 17, 2026
📍Messzi Istvan Sportcsarnok Kecskemet (HUN)
• 16.00 (Local Time) | Istanbul Gençlik SK (TUR) – Maccabi Yeadim Tel-Aviv (ISR)
📍Hristo Botev Sofia
• 18.30 (Local Time) | CSKA Sofia (BUL) – Epicentr – Podolyany Horodok (UKR)

_____________

SECOND LEG

Thursday November 12, 2026
📍Nastavno-Sportska Dvorana Gradski Vrt – Small Hall Osijek
• 18.00 (Local Time) | MOK Mursa Osijek (CRO) – Hapoel Mate-Asher Akko (ISR)

Tuesday November 17, 2026
📍Tromsøhallen Tromsø
• 18.00 (Local Time) | BK Tromsø (NOR) – VC Lorentzweiler (LUX)

Wednesday November 18, 2026
📍Messzi Istvan Sportcsarnok Kecskemet (HUN)
• 16.00 (Local Time) | Maccabi Yeadim Tel-Aviv (ISR) – Istanbul Gençlik SK (TUR)
📍SC Verde Podgorica
• 18.00 (Local Time) | Buducnost Podgorica (MNE) – Rieker UJS Komárno (SVK)
📍Ouluhalli Oulu
• 18.00 (Local Time) | AC Oulu (FIN) – Leomuovi Akaa Volley (FIN)
📍OS Karađorđe Topola
• 18.00 (Local Time) | Karađorđe Topola (SRB) – Grupo Herce Río Duero Soria (ESP)
📍Park Strumica
• 18.00 (Local Time) | VC Strumica (MKD) – Ford Levoranta Sastamala (FIN)
📍Hristo Botev Sofia
• 18.30 (Local Time) | Podolyany Horodok (UKR) – CSKA Sofia (BUL) – Epicentr
📍University Sport Hall Plovdiv
• 18.30 (Local Time) | Lokomotiv Avia Plovdiv (BUL) – Budva (MNE)
📍Bardinogianneio Heraklion
• 19.00 (Local Time) | OFI Crete Herakleion (GRE) – Helios Grizzlys Giesen (GER)
📍Dvorana Tabor Maribor
• 19.00 (Local Time) | OK i-Vent Maribor (SLO) – MOK Dinamo Zagreb (CRO)
📍Palestra Bill Clinton Ferizaj
• 19.00 (Local Time) | KV Luboteni Ferizaj (KOS) – Volejbal Brno (CZE)
📍Raiffeisen Sportpark Graz / B
• 19.00 (Local Time) | UVC Holding Graz (AUT) – Ribola Kaštela (CRO)
📍Hellehallen Årre
• 19.30 (Local Time) | Nordenskov UIF (NOR) – SK Zadruga Aich/Dob (AUT)
📍Hall Omnisports Strassen
• 19.30 (Local Time) | VC Stroossen (LUX) – Cisneros Altes La Laguna (ESP)
📍Sportcentrum Schotte Aalst
• 20.30 (Local Time) | Lindemans Aalst (BEL) – Prima Donna Kaas Huizen (NED)

Thursday November 19, 2026
📍Tatabányai Multifunkcionális Csarnok
• 17.00 (Local Time) | MÁV Elore Székesfehérvár (HUN) – TSV Jona (SUI)
📍A.Y.S. Sport Hall Baku
• 18.00 (Local Time) | Ordu Baku (AZE) – Forde VBK (NOR)
📍Sport Hall Gopass Arena Bratislava
• 19.00 (Local Time) | VK Slovan Bratislava (SVK) – Pärnu VC (EST)
📍Sports Hall University of Tartu
• 19.00 (Local Time) | Bigbank Tartu (EST) – Axpo Volley Näfels (SUI)

____________________

👀|QUICK LINKS
• AGENDA 📝🏐
• 2026/27 CEV Challenge Cup
• Challenge Cup – All News
• All news from European Cups 🏆
• Multimedia
• Facebook
• Instagram

__________________