Numia Vero Volley Milano kicked off their CEV Champions League Volley 2026 campaign with a 3–0 victory over Olympiacos Piraeus, delivering a steady and increasingly confident performance at the Opiquad Arena in Monza.
After a slow opening that saw them fall behind early, Milano quickly steadied themselves. Strong swings from Elena Pietrini and Vita Akimova helped flip the momentum, and a series of timely blocks pushed the home side ahead. Milano closed out the first set 25–18 without further trouble.
Olympiacos mounted their biggest challenge in the second set, gaining control at 18–15 thanks to sharper serving and improved blocking. But Milano’s response was swift. Benedetta Sartori took charge at the net, and Rebecca Piva added spark in attack, helping the Italian side overturn the deficit and narrowly claim the set 27–25.
With the pressure lifted, Milano asserted complete control in the third. Pietrini, who would finish with 17 points and be named MVP, led a dominant stretch that saw the hosts pull away early and never look back. A 25–16 finish sealed a confident sweep.
Milica Kubura stood out for Olympiacos with 13 points, but the Greek team, playing their first-ever Champions League group stage match, struggled to maintain consistency against Milano’s depth.
“We stayed focused when it mattered most,” Pietrini said after the match. “That made the difference, and these three points are really important for us.”
With the win, Milano joins Eczacibasi at the top of Pool C, both teams opening with straight-set victories.
