Istanbul is rapidly becoming a focal point in the world of women’s volleyball, and a growing rivalry with Italy is shaping the landscape of the sport. As the CEV Champions League Volley 2026 quarterfinals get underway, with three matchups pitting Italian teams against Turkish powerhouses – Milano against VakifBank Istanbul, Zeren Ankara versus Conegliano, and Scandicci facing Fenerbahçe – the competition is heating up. This isn’t just about one tournament; it reflects a broader shift in the balance of power within European volleyball.
For years, the Italian and Turkish leagues have been considered the most competitive in Europe, attracting many of the world’s top players. The historical record in the CEV Champions League underscores this dominance: in the last 20 editions, Italian teams have secured 11 victories, while Turkish clubs have claimed 8, with Russia’s Dinamo Kazan breaking the duopoly in 2014. Since 2019, the Champions League final has been an exclusively Italian-Turkish affair, culminating in a recent World Championship final showdown between Italy and Turkey.
Turkey’s ambition has surged in recent years, with a clear goal of establishing the Sultanlar Ligi as the premier volleyball league in Europe, surpassing even the traditionally highly-regarded Italian league. As Eurosport noted a few months ago, “Turkey wants to grab over European women’s volleyball with millions.” This ambition is fueled by significant financial investment, and a strategic approach to building world-class teams.
The leading Turkish clubs are investing heavily, often exceeding the financial capabilities of their Italian counterparts. Many are multi-sport organizations based in Istanbul, with teams in football, basketball, and other sports. This broad base of support allows for greater financial flexibility and stability.
Much like the investment seen in top European football clubs, a portion of the funding for Turkish volleyball teams comes, directly or indirectly, from the state. What we have is often channeled through major sponsors like VakifBank, a publicly-owned company. The Zeren Group, a private international holding company with interests in energy and media, exemplifies this trend, sponsoring both the Ankara team and the Champions League itself, officially known as the CEV Zeren Group Champions League Volley.
Italian success stories often follow a different model: clubs in smaller cities, supported by numerous local businesses. Conegliano stands out as a prime example of this approach. Yet, the financial disparity is becoming increasingly apparent.
Istanbul has already secured the rights to host the Champions League Final Four through 2028, further solidifying its position as a central hub for the sport. Adding to the growing Turkish influence, two of Italy’s best players are now competing in the Sultanlar Ligi: setter Alessia Orro with Fenerbahçe, and opposite hitter Myriam Sylla with Galatasaray.
Orro and Sylla reportedly earn €600,000 per season, reflecting the higher salaries offered by Turkish clubs. Both players have spoken about the enthusiastic fan base and the rockstar-like treatment they receive in Turkey. Orro recently described Istanbul as “the world capital of volleyball” in an interview with Corriere della Sera.
Rumors suggest that opposite hitter Ekaterina Antropova, currently with Scandicci, may join Eczacibasi next season, with reports indicating an offer of €1.5 million per season. This contrasts with the approximately €1 million earned by the highest-paid players in the Italian league, such as Paola Egonu, Zhu Ting, and Gabi Guimaraes. Tijana Boskovic, the highest-paid player in the Turkish league, earns €2.5 million.
The Sultanlar Ligi is also attracting top Italian coaches. Massimo Barbolini now leads Galatasaray, while Giulio Bregoli has joined Eczacibasi. Giovanni Guidetti has coached VakifBank for fifteen years, leading the team to eight Turkish championships and six Champions League titles. Daniele Santarelli coaches both Conegliano and the Turkish national team since 2023, a common arrangement in the volleyball world.
The Turkish national team is also on the rise, achieving its best-ever result with a second-place finish at the recent World Championships, losing a close tie-break match to Italy. This progress is attributed to the excellent youth development programs of Turkish clubs and a strategic approach to naturalization.
Naturalization – the process of granting citizenship to foreign players – is a common practice in volleyball, allowing countries to bolster their national teams. However, the international federation is attempting to limit this practice, and Turkey has been actively pursuing it, most notably with Cuban opposite hitter Melissa Vargas. They have also attempted to naturalize Russian spiker Marina Markova (unsuccessfully) and promising 17-year-ancient Cuban Salet Castillo Valdés (likely to succeed).
The first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals features key matchups on Tuesday and Wednesday. Milano will host VakifBank at 8:00 PM local time, Zeren Ankara will face Conegliano at 6:00 PM, and Scandicci will take on Fenerbahçe at 7:00 PM. The return legs will be played the following week. The Champions League Women’s Volleyball tournament, with Conegliano as the defending champion, can be viewed on Sky Sport, DAZN, and VBTV, Volleyball World’s official platform.
The coming weeks will be a crucial test for both Italian and Turkish teams, and a significant indicator of which nation currently holds the upper hand in European women’s volleyball. The financial investment, strategic player acquisitions, and strong coaching presence in Turkey are clearly challenging Italy’s long-held dominance, creating a compelling rivalry that will undoubtedly captivate fans for years to come.
