CEV, Luxembourg. After assessing the latest developments with the coronavirus pandemic and liaising extensively with all stakeholders, primarily with the participating teams, as well as their respective National Federations and national leagues, a consensus emerged on the necessity to amend the competition format in place for the 4th Round (pool stage) of the CEV Champions League Volley 2021. There will be two single round-robin tournaments held in ‘bio-secure bubbles’ at two different venues in each pool, spread across the winter season until mid-February.
This decision reflects the options listed in the contingency plan previously approved by the CEV Board of Administration this past July and highlights the CEV’s commitment to protect the safety and well-being of everyone associated with the elite international competition for Volleyball clubs. The changes to the competition format will reduce travelling at a time when national authorities are introducing more and more restrictions to the free movement of people in an effort to curb the surge in the number of infections from the novel coronavirus. This move is also testament to the CEV’s determination to continue to deliver elite sport even in these extremely difficult and challenging times, thus providing all members of the Volleyball family with something to look forward to and to follow.
After organising a number of videoconference calls with the participating teams and liaising with its media partners as well, the CEV can now confirm the following programme for the 4th Round of the competition as well as the respective tournament hosts:
MEN
ACH Volley LJUBLJANA (SLO) is in Pool C, CEZ Karlovarsko (CZE) in Pool E
WOMEN
VK UP OLOMOUC (CZE) is in Pool E
At the end of these tournaments, as per the relevant Competitions Regulations, the five winners from each pool as well as the three runners-up with the best result will continue their journey in the quarterfinals.
Obviously, the CEV will continue to monitor the situation as well as any further measures introduced by national authorities – with any further announcement to this extent following in due course, as and if needed.
