Urnaut and Vašina, EuroVolley stars giving also an exciting Champions League preview

The focus of the volleyball world right now is, of course, on EuroVolley, but for the other eight months of the year these elite athletes are competing with and against each other in Europe’s top club volleyball competition; Champions League. In this article we will take a look at some of the biggest Champions League stars taking part in Pool B in CEV EuroVolley 2021.

Tine Urnaut with Tsvetan Sokolov before their head to head at EuroVolley. Photo Credit: CEV

Tsvetan Sokolov – Bulgaria/Dinamo Moscow

2022 season club team: Dinamo Moscow

The towering Bulgarian opposite Tsvetan Sokolov is likely the most decorated player in Pool B. He was top scorer in the Champions League in both the 2015/15 & 2016/17 season, and best opposite in 2017/18 with Lube Civitanova. He spent his earlier career in Italy, while recently he has been plying his trade in Russia, this past season with Dinamo Moscow winning both the CEV Cup & the Russian title. He has taken a bit of a back seat in scoring on this current iteration of the Bulgarian national team, with more than capable attackers such as Martin Atanasov & Todor Skrimov on the roster. But just like in Italy & Russia, his ability to get break points with service & blocking are as valuable as ever.

The Captain of the Slovenian national team had himself a close to a perfect match against Bulgaria. Photo Credit: CEV

Tine Urnaut – Slovenia/Zenit St. Petersburg

2022 season club team: Zenit St. Petersburg

Tine Urnaut, perhaps Slovenia’s most decorated volleyball player and the captain of the team for EuroVolley, has had an illustrious career in Italy’s top clubs, even winning best outside hitter of the tournament with Trentino during the 2015/16. This year he joins Russian runner-ups Zenit St. Petersburg, replacing Cuban Oreol Camejo. The type of veteran presence that Urnaut brings to the Slovenian team will be invaluable to a young & ambitious St. Petersburg.

He was ruthless in the victory against Bulgaria in Pool B, hitting 14 for 19 in a trademark efficient but not flashy fashion.

Simone Giannelli – Italy/Perugia

2022 season cub team: Trentino

Despite only being 25 years old, young in the world of setters, Simone Giannelli has been a major factor in Champions League for Trentino for almost a decade. This experience has been pivotal for Simone’s role on this Italian team, allowing him to assume a leadership role on the team while remaining on the same timeline as the rest of the team. Giannelli will be moving teams for the first time in his career for next season, joining up with EuroVolley teammates Fabio Ricci & Alessandro Picinelli. With names such as Wilfredo Leon, Oleh Plotnytskyi, & Kamil Rychlicki on the team, they will be one of the favourites.

Lukáš Vašina making an impact for the Czech national team. Photo Credit: CEV

Lukáš Vašina – Czechia/CEZ Karlovarsko

2022 season club team: CEZ Karlovarsko

A bit of an unorthodox addition to this list, Czech wing Lukáš Vašina is nowhere close ot the established star that the others on this list are. However, his stock in the volleyball world is soaring after emerging as Czechia’s key player during EuroVolley 2021. The athletic outside hitter/opposite can hit from both pin positions well, preferring strong swings around the block rather than playing into it. It is working quite well for him, with solid size at 198cm and an explosive vertical jump. His serve has been an asset as well, a curving jump spinner that has netted him 6 aces so far. Lukas will play a starring role for Karlovarsko this upcoming season.