Vallefoglia Secures Narrow Advantage in CEV Challenge Cup Final First Leg

Megabox Group Vallefoglia has taken an important step towards claiming the 2026 CEV Volleyball Challenge Cup Women's title, triumphing over Panathinaikos Athens in a thrilling five-set opening match of the final, held in Pesaro.

Playing before their home crowd at BPA Palas, the Italian team endured over two hours of intense volleyball action to clinch a hard-fought 3–2 victory, with set scores of 25–20, 20–25, 25–12, 22–25, and 15–12. This outcome provides Vallefoglia with a crucial, albeit narrow, lead as they prepare for the decisive second leg in Athens on March 18.

The offensive efforts for Vallefoglia were spearheaded by Erblira Bici, who delivered an exceptional performance, tallying an impressive 32 points. Her strong play was evident from the start, as she heavily contributed to the hosts gaining control and winning the initial set.

Panathinaikos mounted a strong comeback in the second set, with Micaya White and Monika Lampkowska leading the charge for the Greek squad to equalize the match. Despite this, Vallefoglia swiftly reasserted their dominance in the third set, controlling the game and securing it with a comfortable 25–12 score.

The visiting team showed remarkable resilience, refusing to concede. Even after an early deficit in the fourth set and the unfortunate loss of White to injury, Panathinaikos staged a powerful resurgence, driven by significant contributions from Lampkowska and Martina Samadan, whose crucial late-set play forced a decisive tie-break.

The final set was equally gripping. Vallefoglia ultimately established a lead, propelled by Bici’s effective serving and crucial points scored by Loveth Omoruyi. Panathinaikos valiantly fended off multiple match points in a late push, but it was Omoruyi who delivered the decisive final attack, securing the win for the Italian side.

Vallefoglia now holds a slim advantage heading into the upcoming second leg in Athens, where the championship trophy will be contested and awarded next week.

Match Summary:
Megabox Group Vallefoglia (ITA) vs Panathinaikos Athens (GRE)
Final Score: 3–2 (25–20, 20–25, 25–12, 22–25, 15–12)

Key Players and Top Scorers:

• Erblira Bici (Vallefoglia) – 32 points
• Monika Lampkowska (Panathinaikos) – 19 points
• Gaia Giovannini (Vallefoglia) – 12 points
• Adelina Ungureanu (Vallefoglia) – 10 points

The second and final leg of the championship series is scheduled for March 18 in Athens, where the 2026 CEV Challenge Cup Women’s champion will ultimately be crowned.