Vallefoglia Completes Historic CEV Challenge Cup Triumph
It’s more than just a sporting title. The victory of Megabox Ondulati Del Savio Vallefoglia in the CEV Challenge Cup 2026 tells a larger story: the history of a club born from nothing, in a town of less than 15,000 inhabitants in the Marche region of Italy, capable of conquering the roof of Europe in its very first participation in an international competition.
Athens, the Final Act
The return leg of the final was played at the Indoor Hall in Glyfada, Athens, in front of over 3,500 Greek fans who transformed the arena into a hostile cauldron. Nothing could shake the confidence of coach Andrea Pistola’s team, who secured a decisive 3-0 victory (25-20, 27-25, 25-16). Combined with the 3-2 result from the first leg played in Italy, the outcome cemented Vallefoglia as European champions.
Albanian opposite hitter Erblira Bici was awarded MVP of the match, scoring 23 points after her 32-point performance in the first leg. Loveth Omoruyi also reached double figures, contributing 10 points to the win.
“It’s an extraordinary emotion,” said Omoruyi after the match. “To win here, in front of all these people, with such a warm atmosphere, is special. It’s an unforgettable night for us and a historic one for the team. We always played as a team, even in difficult moments, and we deserved this fantastic achievement.”
A Dominating Performance
Vallefoglia’s success comes amidst a period of absolute dominance of Italian women’s volleyball at the European and world level. With this trophy, the clubs of Serie A1 Tigotà have secured the ninth consecutive international title since the 2023-24 season, with seven of those being European titles.
Specifically in the Challenge Cup, this marks the fifth consecutive victory: Savino del Bene (2022), Chieri (2023), Novara (2024), and Roma Club (2025) are the previous winners. The historical total rises to 27 Italian triumphs in 45 editions an absolute record.
“With this victory,” emphasized Mauro Fabris, president of the Italian Women’s Volleyball League, “Italy celebrates its twenty-seventh success in the competition and retains the cup for the fifth consecutive year, marking the seventh European title in a row for our clubs. Thanks to Megabox for once again reaffirming the absolute leadership of the LVF Serie A in the world.”
An Unstoppable Rise
Founded between 2019 and 2020 by president Ivano Angeli, Megabox has rapidly ascended through the ranks: promotion to Serie A1 at the first attempt in 2021, followed by five seasons of growth in the top category, culminating in a sixth-place finish in the most recent season.
In Europe, during this edition of the Challenge Cup, the “Tigri” biancoverdi eliminated AEK Athens, Fatum Nyíregyháza, Emalsa Gran Canaria, and KHG Kaposvári before overcoming Panathinaikos in the final.
For the Marche region, this is the first European trophy in fifteen years: the last was won by Urbino in the CEV Cup in 2011.
A true sporting fairytale.
The team demonstrated control throughout the match, particularly in the first and third sets. The second set saw a remarkable comeback after falling behind 11-3, ultimately winning in a tight finish that decided the match. Bici’s performance was particularly noteworthy, and the team benefited from strong contributions from substitutes Ungureanu and Lazàro.
This victory continues a remarkable run for Italian volleyball, showcasing the strength and depth of the Serie A1 Tigotà league. It’s a testament to the dedication of the players, the coaching staff, and the support of the fans.
Vallefoglia will now return to domestic competition, looking to build on this European success. Their next challenge will be to maintain their momentum in Serie A1 and continue their ascent as one of Italy’s premier volleyball clubs.
