r/EuropeanVolleyball

Week 3 kicks off on Wednesday, July 8th, 2026, for the final push to the finals and to avoid relegation!

Slovenia secured their spot by defeating Slovakia in the semifinals, while Sweden, led by Isabelle Haak, advanced past Hungary. The 2026 CEV European League champions will now be decided in a two-leg final series:

• First Leg: July 8, 2026, in Sweden.
• Second Leg: July 11, 2026, in Slovenia.

Gabi will rest for Week 3 of the VNL in Osaka, as the technical staff and the player mutually agreed to preserve her condition without taking any risks.

Fresh off winning the 2026 CEV Cup title against Chieri, Galatasaray Daikin's communication for the 2026/2027 season is surprisingly quiet.

As of right now, only six players are locked in and confirmed for the next roster: İlkin Aydın, Alexia Căruțașu, Myriam Sylla, Britt Bongaerts, Wang Yuanyuan, and Yasemin Güveli.

Even the names heavily linked to the club in recent transfer market rumors such as Vita Akimova, Ayça Aykaç, Janset Cemre Erkul, Eylül Karadaş, Lena Stigrot, Çağla Çiçekoğlu, or Ege Melisa Bükmen are still taking a long time to be officially confirmed.

Does this silence hide internal difficulties in finalizing contracts, or is it just poor management from their communication team?

Meliha Diken, 32 year old Outside Hitter from Türkiye has bid farewell to the Turkish NT. She participated in the 2020 and 2024 Olympics. Specifically in Paris, when Türkiye was dealing with a lot of injuries, I remember how despite not playing any VNL in 2024, the minute the team needed her, she was ready to come in, no matter the role and give it all. Her defense, reception and leadership made her a valuable player across the different top club teams she played and her time with the NT. She will continue her club career in LOVB, likely with Madison.

@_melly03 on IG

VakifBank have signed their first three players: setter Naz Aydemir Akyol and libero Eylül Akarçeşme Yatgın from Galatasaray, along with middle blocker Emily Maglio from Eczacıbaşı.