The Italian Playoff Challenge continues with two crucial make-up matches from the first round, scheduled for March 25 and 26, 2026. These games were originally postponed due to teams’ commitments in the Scudetto quarterfinals. Teams are now battling for supremacy in their respective groups, aiming for a spot in the Challenge Cup 2026/27 final.
Group A: Reale Mutua Fenera Chieri ’76 vs. Eurotek Laica Uyba Busto Arsizio
Match Date & Time: Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at 8:00 PM (CET)
Chieri ’76 will host Eurotek Laica Uyba Busto Arsizio at PalaFenera for their third Playoff Challenge commitment. Chieri enters this match undefeated and with a perfect 6 points, sharing the top spot in Group A with Firenze, though Chieri has played two fewer matches. A positive result would solidify their leading position.
In contrast, Busto Arsizio, currently with 2 points after two games, finds itself in a challenging situation and cannot afford any missteps if they hope to climb the standings.
This season, Chieri has dominated their encounters with Busto, securing victories in all three previous matches: 3-0 and 3-1 in the league, and a hard-fought tie-break win in the Coppa Italia quarterfinals. Historically, Chieri leads the head-to-head record with 11 wins in 19 matches. Former players in this fixture include Alice Degradi, Laura Kunzler, and Ilaria Spirito.
Team Statements (Group A):
- Elles Dambrink (Reale Mutua Fenera Chieri): “After a slow start against Bisonte, we managed to turn it around and win 3-1. We’re back on court in just three days against Busto, so we need to prepare thoroughly, study their videos, and be ready for any changes they might make.”
- Josephine Obossa (Eurotek Laica Uyba Busto Arsizio): “We’re returning to work after a morale-boosting win against Macerata. Despite some dips during the game, our team strength helped us secure the victory. We head to Chieri aware of our opponents’ caliber, but confident in our ability to compete, hoping to replicate our strong Coppa Italia performance against them, which was one of our best games this season.”
Group A Standings:
- Reale Mutua Fenera Chieri ’76: 6 points (2 matches)
- Il Bisonte Firenze: 6 points (4 matches)
- Cbf Balducci Hr Macerata: 4 points (3 matches)
- Eurotek Laica Uyba Busto Arsizio: 2 points (2 matches)
Group B: Megabox Ond. Savio Vallefoglia vs. Bergamo
Match Date & Time: Thursday, March 26, 2026, at 8:30 PM (CET)
Megabox Ondulati del Savio Vallefoglia, the defending Challenge Cup tournament champions (and CEV Challenge Cup 2026 winners), will host Volley Bergamo at PalaMegabox. This is their third match in Group B, part of the play-offs for qualification to the CEV Challenge Cup 2026/27.
Fresh off a strong victory against Honda Cuneo, the “Tigri” (Vallefoglia) are looking to gain more points to chase the top spot in the group. Only the first-place team will advance to the final match on April 18.
Vallefoglia has an impressive record against Bergamo this season, having won both previous encounters. They also defeated Bergamo twice in last season’s Playoff Challenge. Former player Bozana Butigan has played for Volley Bergamo.
Team Statements (Group B):
- Ivano Angeli (President, Megabox Ond. Savio Vallefoglia): “We are very happy with this season; we’ve achieved our goals, but it’s not over yet. The team showed great energy and fighting spirit in Cuneo, and we’ll play with that attitude in all remaining matches to do our best. This match will also be an opportunity to celebrate our Challenge Cup victory with our fans.”
- Martina Armini (Bergamo): “A difficult match awaits us against a team that plays particularly well at home. We’ll need to stay focused and impose our game from the first rallies, without any lapses in attention.”
Group B Standings:
- Honda Cuneo Granda Volley: 8 points (4 matches)
- Omag-Mt San Giovanni In M.No: 4 points (4 matches)
- Bergamo: 3 points (2 matches)
- Megabox Ond. Savio Vallefoglia: 3 points (2 matches)
