In some countries, the playoffs have already begun, but this week’s standout performances come from volleyball players abroad.

In Japan, Lise Van Hecke solidified her lead with Osaka Marvelous after a double victory against Okayama. First, a 1-3 win (Lise scored 17 points at 47%), followed by a 0-3 win (she took it easy with 5 points at 45%).

Her team received support from Queenseis, who initially lost 2-3 to top team Denso (Kaja Grobelna excellent with 27 points at 45%) but then avenged their loss with a 3-2 win (Kaja scored 20 points at 39%).

In Germany, all four teams featuring Belgian players secured victories. Anna Koulberg (15 points – 67%) helped Potsdam win 1-3 against Münster, earning her the MVP title. Suhl won 3-0 (three times 25-22) against Wiesbaden, where Lara Nagels shined with 5 points at 67%. Dresden also claimed a 3-0 victory against Aachen (Nathalie Lemmens 6 points at 50%, still unsure about her future with the team). Finally, Stuttgart easily won 0-3 against Erfurt, thanks in part to Pauline Martin (9 points – 26%) and Charlotte Krenicky (4 points – 100%).

In Italy, the playoff quarterfinals are underway. Laura Heyrman didn’t even need to step on the court as her team Milan won 3-0 in front of 3,625 fans against Vallefoglia. A Belgian duel saw Britt Herbots' Scandicci (9 points – 37%) defeat Silke Van Avermaet’s Busto Arsizio (10 points – 67%) by 3-1. Alongside Milan and Scandicci, Novara and Conegliano also won their first playoff matches. Three wins secure a spot in the semifinals.

In Serbia, Mila Vlahovic was substituted in for one set with Radnicki Beograd, but they lost 0-3 against Jedinstvo.

In Greece, Ilka Van de Vyver (2 points from 1 ace and 1 block) and PAOK Thessaloniki lost 1-3 at home against Panathinaikos.

In France, Britt Rampelberg (47% reception) helped her team Venelles remain in first place after a 1-3 victory at Quimper.

In Poland, another win for GB Lodz and Dominika Sobolska (7 points): a 3-2 victory against the strong Chemik Police.

Ferre Reggers dominates

For the men, the Italian playoff quarterfinals have also started. Ferre Reggers took center stage with 26 points at 59% and two blocks, helping Milan pull off an upset by winning 2-3 at Civitanova (rumored to be his future club). Trentino, Piacenza, and Perugia also won their first playoff matches on the road to three victories.

While Bram Van den Dries won his last two matches with Burgan in Kuwait, Seppe Baetens (19 points at 60%) lost with Murov 2-3 against FHN in Azerbaijan. Murov remains in first place and has already asked Seppe to extend his stay, but he is waiting for other offers.

In Russia, a smooth 0-3 victory for Sam Deroo and Zenit Kazan at UFA.

In Poland, Igor Grobelny was once again a key player with 17 points (56% and 3 blocks) in Kedzierzyn's 1-3 win against Lwow.Mathijs Desmet wasn’t as successful with Gorzov, losing 3-1 at Czestochowa. He only started in the fourth set and scored 5 points (38%).

In front of 3,200 spectators in Germany, Lüneburg pulled off an upset by winning 3-2 against league leader and cup winner Berlin, where Simon Plaskie scored 4 points (80%) during two substitute appearances. Coach Christophe Achten's team Düren won 1-3 at Hachung München, thanks in part to 7 points from Robbe Van de Velde (56%).

In Spain, league leader Guaguas (Tomas Rousseaux) had a rest day but still holds a 3-point lead over Soria with three matches remaining.

In Romania, Craiova reached the playoff semifinals with a 0-3 win at Steaua Bucharest, helped by Marin Dukic (12 points at 35%) in front of 100 spectators.

In Croatia, Simon Vlahovic (9 points at 67%, 5 blocks) and Ribola Kastela suffered a tiebreak loss against Osijek.

Finally, disappointment in Denmark for coach Dries Hoeyberghs, as his team Nordenskov unexpectedly lost the first match of the playoff quarterfinals to DHV Odense (13-15 in the tiebreak).

(Compiled by Marcel Coppens)