Rešovija and Trentino are in pole position to make it to the top eight, while Las Palmas faces a somewhat more difficult task in Montpellier after a 3:1 home win - this is a cross-section of the volleyball situation.
In the play-off round derby, Trentino, on its home court, beneath the Alps, defends its 3:2 advantage over Warsaw from the first leg in the big Italian-Polish clash.
"We know that we have a very difficult rematch ahead of us. The project showed its quality in Warsaw and will certainly try to pressure us with its serve and rhythm of play. We have to remain patient and play our volleyball, because that is the only way we can confirm the victory from the first game and advance," said Danijele Lavia, Trentino's receiver.
If they advance, the Italian volleyball team would face another Polish team in the quarterfinals – this season's very strong Lublin.
Rešovija, which not only won 3:0 in the first match against Rosellar at home, but also showed a huge difference in quality, looks to Turkey from Belgium - the Zirat Bank team would await them in the quarterfinals.
The winner of the Montpellier – Las Palmas doubleheader, on the other hand, goes to the current European champion, Perugia.
In the women's tournament, quarterfinal matches are being played, and there are three Turkish-Italian duels on the program.
Vero Volej and VakifBank open the quarterfinals in Milan, Skandići hosts Fenerbahçe in Florence on Wednesday, while Zeren Spor plays against Koneljan in Ankara.
Poland's Reşovija is the only team that is not part of the magical Italian-Turkish double, but is playing with a Turkish team – in Istanbul, against Ezakybashi.
Second leg of the volleyball Champions League playoff
Montpellier – Las Palmas (Tuesday, 8 p.m.) – first leg 1:3
Trentino – Warsaw (Wednesday, 8:30 p.m.) – first leg 3:2
Roselar – Rešovija (Thursday, 8:30 p.m.) – first match 0:3
First matches of the 1/4 finals of the Women's Volleyball Champions League
Vero Volej – VakifBank (Tuesday, 8 p.m.)
Ezachibashi – Rešovija (Wednesday, 5 p.m.)
Zeren Spor – Koneljano (Wednesday, 6 p.m.)
Skandići – Fenerbahçe (Wednesday, 7 p.m.)
The second legs are next week.
