BULGARIA
Levski Sofia emerged as men’s volleyball champions in Bulgaria for the third consecutive and 18th overall time. On Saturday, they put an end to the best-of-five final series against Neftohimik Burgas at 3-1 in wins with a hard-fought 3-2 (25-17, 25-27, 16-25, 25-19, 15-7) away victory. The bronze medals went to Lokomotiv Avia Plovdiv. Levski’s 22-year-old setter Stoil Palev was selected the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the finals.
CZECHIA
For the fourth time in the club’s history, CEZ Karlovarsko Karlovy Vary celebrated the national title in Czechia. They won the deciding fifth match of the best-of-five championship playoff against Lvi Prague on Tuesday by an emphatic 3-0 (25-22, 25-15, 25-18) at home. Jihostroj Ceske Budejovice brought home the bronze medals.
FINLAND
Hurrikaani Loimaa triumphed as champions in Finland, picking up their second title after closing the best-of-seven final playoff against Oulu Volley by 4-0 in wins. In the fourth game of the series on Saturday, Hurrikaani delivered a 3-1 (23-25, 25-15, 25-20, 25-23) victory. Akaa-Volley won the bronze medal playoff.
GERMANY
Berlin Recycling Volleys achieved their 10th consecutive national title in Germany and enriched their championship trophy showcase to 16. They closed the best-of-five final series against SVG Lueneburg after three games. On Wednesday, the squad from the capital produced a 3-1 (25-19, 25-22, 22-25, 25-12) victory on the road, at a sold-out venue with 3,200 fans in the stands, to snatch the crown. BR Volleys’ 29-year-old middle blocker Florian Krage and Lueneburg’s 31-year-old Japanese libero Sho Takahashi were named MVPs of the season.
IRELAND
The single-game final of Ireland’s men’s league was played in Dublin on Saturday. Dalkey Devils Dublin defended the national title after a convincing 3-0 (25-22, 25-17, 25-19) victory over Tallaght Rockets Dublin.
ITALY
Sir Susa Scai Perugia collected their third national crown in Italy after sweeping the best-of-five final playoff against Cucine Lube Civitanova in three games. On Wednesday, they delighted a home crowd of nearly five thousand fans (pictured in the main photo; source: legavolley.it) with a 3-1 (25-27, 26-24, 25-22, 25-20) victory and closed the series. Sir’s 41-year-old libero Massimo Colaci was honored as MVP of the finals. Rana Verona took third place in the final standings.
MONTENEGRO
Budva picked up their eighth (consecutive) championship title in Montenegro. After wasting a two-win advantage over Buducnost Podgorica in the best-of-five final series, they won the crucial fifth game on Sunday at home by 3-1 (25-18, 28-25, 25-22, 25-14).
PORTUGAL
Defending champions Sporting CP Lisbon triumphed with the national title in Portugal for the eighth time. They mastered an emphatic sweep of the best-of-five championship playoff against city rivals SL Benfica Lisbon in three straight-set victories. On Wednesday, Sporting hammered out a 3-0 (25-18, 25-17, 25-19) shutout to close the series as Portuguese champions. Leixoes Matosinhos earned the bronze medals.
SERBIA
Radnicki DOO Kragujevac celebrated their second consecutive and fourth overall championship trophy in Serbia. They resolved the best-of-five final series against Vojvodina Mozzart Novi Sad by 3-0 in wins. The third game was played on Monday in Kragujevac, and the home team mastered a 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-18) sweep. Radnicki’s 40-year-old opposite Mladen Bojovic was named MVP of the playoffs.
