Superlega 2025/26

Sir Susa Scai Perugia reclaim Italian crown

41-year-old Colaci – MVP; Cucine Lube Civitanova and Rana Verona complete the podium

Published 04:31, 07 May 2026

Sir Susa Scai Perugia rejoice as 2025-2026 Italian men’s volleyball SuperLega champions (source: legavolley.it)

Regular season winners Sir Susa Scai Perugia cruised through the playoffs in the Italian men’s volleyball SuperLega Credem Banca undefeated and reclaimed the national title, lifting the champion’s trophy for the third time in the club’s history, after 2018 and 2024. Their 41-year-old libero Massimo Colaci was honored as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the finals. Cucine Lube Civitanova and Rana Verona took second and third place in the final standings and qualified for next season’s CEV Champions League along with Sir.

Watch Italian men’s SuperLega replays on VBTV

Sir Susa Scai Perugia topped the regular season standings convincingly, on 58 points and a 20-2 win-loss record, 10 points clear of second-placed Rana Verona. In the quarterfinals, Sir achieved three wins over Vero Volley Monza, and followed up with three wins over Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza in the semifinal playoffs, to advance to the championship series against Cucine Lube Civitanova, who had finished the regular season in sixth place (40 and 13-9), but then upset defending champions Itas Trentino Trento in the quarterfinals and regular season runners-up Rana Verona in the semifinals to progress to their second SuperLega final in a row.

In the best-of-five final showdown, Sir allowed Lube no more upsets and got the job done in three games – 3-0 (25-21, 25-17, 25-22) at home last Thursday, 3-1 (21-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-23) in Civitanova Marche on Sunday and 3-1 (25-27, 26-24, 25-22, 25-20) at home again on Wednesday. It was the third major trophy for the squad from Perugia this season. They also triumphed as FIVB Volleyball Men’s Club World Championship gold medalists and Italy Super Cup winners, and are still in the running for a fourth trophy, that in Europe’s CEV Champions League.

Sir Susa Scai Perugia vs. Cucine Lube Civitanova - VBW - SuperLega - Match Highlights

“This victory embodies a whole year, made up of everyday life, of the good things we've done,” stated Sir’s setter and captain Simone Giannelli. “I think we've been consistent throughout the season. We've played well despite the many matches, injuries and all the ups and downs that have occurred. However, we've stuck to our guns, to what we wanted to do, and for that, I truly have to thank the team because that's not something you can take for granted. I'm happy and grateful to have been able to share another great year with great players and great staff. What mattered to us was getting to the end. We did well and have improved compared to last year. We learned from that semifinal series we played against Civitanova, and this year we put all our work into it, even today, despite some lapses. The constant is that we've always been there, always present…”

Sir’s libero Massimo Colaci was named MVP of the final playoff. At the age of 41 years and 74 days, he became the second oldest player ever to triumph as a SuperLega champion.

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“I truly thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for this award, for the emotions you have given me!” said Colaci. “I believe Wassim (Ben Tara) deserved this award, because he was the best in these games, but thank you. It's the first time, so I'm truly very, very happy. Finishing here in front of our fans is a fantastic feeling!”

With a total of 643 points to his name, Lube’s 22-year-old outside hitter Aleksandar Nikolov topped the best scorers ranking of the season. The rising Bulgarian star also topped the best attackers chart. Vero Volley Monza’s middle Thomas Beretta was the best blocker, Valsa Group Modena’s Austrian opposite Paul Buchegger was the best server, his Australian teammate – libero Luke Perry – was the best digger and the best receiver, while Allianz Milan’s Brazilian playmaker Fernando Kreling headed the best setters ranking.