Peykan, VakifBank and ZAKSA claim continental titles

Three continental titles were awarded between Friday and Sunday as Iranian club Peykan defeated Japan’s Suntory Sunbirds to claim the Asian Men’s Club Championship title, reigning world champions VakifBank Istanbul of Turkey got the better of Italian champions Conegliano in the European women’s final, and Grupa Azoty ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle of Poland defeated Itas Trentino of Italy in the men’s.

On Friday, former Iranian national team setter Saied Marouf added another title to his collection and was named Best Setter and MVP of the Asian Men's Club Championship. His club, Peykan defeated their Japanese rivals 3-2 (21-25, 26-28, 25-13, 25-20, 15-12) in the final. In the match for bronze, Iran’s Moghavemat Shahdab defeated Taraz of Kazakhstan 3-0 (25-20, 25-15, 25-22).

In Europe, MVP Gabi Guimaraes led VakifBank to their fifth continental title on Sunday. In a rematch of the 2021 FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship final, Turkish giants Vakifbank defeated Conegliano in four sets 3-1 (25-22, 25-21, 23-25, 25-21), despite a 39-point haul by Conegliano's Paola Egonu. Vakifbank were also victorious in the global competition in December when they defeated their Italian rivals 3-2 (25-15, 22-25, 25-22, 22-25, 15-7).

In the men’s European final meanwhile, Polish club ZAKSA defeated Italian opponents Itas Trentino in straight sets 3-0 (25-22, 25-20, 32-30) to claim a second consecutive title in the competition. They had also defeated the same team in 2021 to become the first Polish club to win the men's CEV Champions League. ZAKSA outside hitter Kamil Semeniuk was selected as the MVP of the match.

Asian Men's Club Championship - Results.

CEV Champions League - Men's Results.

CEV Champions League - Women's Results.

Kuanysh VC won the 2022 Asian Women's Club Championship last month with a victory against Altay VC in the all-Kazakhstani final.