The 66th edition of the CEV Champions League has just rolled to a start, but anticipation is already high for the Final Four. This is the main event in the highest level of European club volleyball competition, so it’s understandable the hype and fanfare around it.
What do we know about this year’s Final Four?
The League has just started, so exact dates and the Final Four event location are not yet available. However, the final is scheduled for May 2025.
The Final Four event will follow the standard format. It will be played over two days and will consist of the semi-finals and the finals. The top four teams that survive the quarter-finals will battle it out in two matches on the first day. The match winners will meet in the final showdown on the second day. The losing teams from the first day will also play for third place on the second day.
Which European teams are top contenders for the Final Four?
Italy and Poland are two countries that have dominated the League. Between them, three teams have won it in the past five years. Italy’s Trentino Itas won the last edition. Polish team Grupa Azoty KĘDZIERZYN-KOŹLE won three consecutive times in a row from 2021 through 2023, while Italian team Cucine Lube CIVITANOVA took home the 2019 trophy (the competition was cancelled in 2020 owing to the coronavirus pandemic).
Both countries each have three teams representing them in this year’s championship. Although none of the past winners are among the competitors, those participating are equally talented teams eager for the chance to cement their place in history.
For instance, Italy’s Sir Sicoma Monini Perugia and Vero Volley Monza came first place and runner-up last season in the domestic SuperLega. Berlin Recycling Volleys have reigned over the Bundesliga title, winning 11 out of the last 12. Poland’s Jastrzębski Węgiel has not only won three of the last four PlusLiga titles but also finished as runners-up in each of the last two European Volleyball finals.
If you’re looking to bet, Italian and Polish teams are great picks, as these have dominated the League in recent times. Take a look at Wincomparator to find the sites with the best odds on various events during the tournament.
Another top contender is Germany, which also has three representatives. German teams have often done well in the competition, regularly reaching quarter-finals.
In addition to Italy, Poland, and Germany, which have three teams each, Turkey, Belgium, and France each have two teams participating. Rounding up the 20 qualifying teams is one representation each from the following countries: Bulgaria, Czechia, Slovenia, Austria and Greece.
- Italy – Sir Sicoma Monini Perugia; Vero Volley Monza; Allianz Milano
- Poland – Jastrzębski Węgiel; Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie; PGE Projekt Warsaw
- Germany – Berlin Recycling Volleys; SVG Lüneburg; Helios Grizzlys Giesen
- Turkey – Halkbank Ankara; Fenerbahçe Medicana İstanbul
- Belgium – Knack Roeselare; Greenyard Maaseik
- France – Saint-Nazaire VB Atlantique; Chaumont VB 52
- Bulgaria – Levski Sofia
- Czech Republic – Jihostroj České Budějovice
- Slovenia – ACH Volley Ljubljana
- Austria – Hypo Tirol Innsbruck
- Greece – Olympiacos Piraeus
