The inaugural Coppa Pallavolo Senza Confini brings four international top clubs featuring an absolute star-studded lineup to Austria. On October 1 and 2, Italian Coppa Italia winners RANA Verona Volley, German traditional powerhouse VfB Friedrichshafen and Slovenian top club ACH Volley Ljubljana will face hosts and Austrian champions TSV Raiffeisen Hartberg Volleyball, turning the Stadtwerke-Hartberg-Halle into a meeting place for the volleyball elite.
Four top-level matches in two days – the Coppa Senza Confini is the perfect addition to the clubs’ preseason preparations. The competitive setting provides all four teams with an opportunity to assess their form at the highest level. Three of the four clubs, TSV Hartberg, ACH Volley Ljubljana and Verona Volley, will also compete in the CEV Champions League. The fact that world-class talent from the SuperLega will be taking the court in Hartberg, a town of just 6,687 inhabitants, represents the next logical step in the development of the Volleyball Senza Confini project.
The project was launched in 2023 together with TSV Hartberg Volleyball, RANA Verona Volley and the VolleyAcademy Stoytchev-Kaziyski from Bulgaria, with the aim of promoting international cooperation, the development of players and coaches, and the exchange of know how.
For Gottfried Rath-Zobernig, the Coppa Senza Confini marks the next phase of this consistent collaboration: “We are creating an international development environment in which talents, clubs, coaches and people can work together across borders. Now, for the first time, this idea will be visible on a major international stage. As project manager of Volleyball Senza Confini, that motivates me to continue driving the project forward.”
The Coppa Pallavolo Senza Confini brings international top-level volleyball to Hartberg. RANA Verona Volley arrives as Coppa Italia winners and third-placed team in the Italian SuperLega, the world’s best volleyball league. The roster includes two Austrians, Lukas Glatz, whose journey from Hartberg to Verona was made possible through “Volleyball Senza Confini”, and Paul Buchegger, as well as multiple Olympic and World Championship medalists Micah Christenson and Simone Anzani. Anders Mol, an Olympic champion and three-time beach volleyball world champion, will also be one of the biggest stars of the sport in attendance. VfB Friedrichshafen arrives with Austria’s national team head coach Adam Swaczyna, while Slovenian powerhouse ACH Volley Ljubljana will compete with several European Championship medalists on its roster.
For Manfried Schuller, president of TSV Hartberg Volleyball, the international lineup is a recognition of the entire region and location: “We are incredibly proud to welcome teams of this caliber to our region and our city. The fact that these top clubs are now coming to Hartberg shows how far our club and the Hartberg volleyball community have developed. For our fans, our partners and, above all, the many children and young people in the region who are passionate about volleyball, this tournament will be something truly special.”
With the Coppa Pallavolo Senza Confini, the idea behind Volleyball Senza Confini is being taken to a new level: bringing elite sport to Austria, inspiring young talent, and connecting people, clubs and regions across borders.
International Voices from the Participating Clubs
Stefano Fanini, President of RANA Verona Volley: “We are very pleased and proud to take part in this tournament. It gives us the opportunity to compete against some of the best teams at international level. In addition, the partnership we have been developing with Hartberg for several years is very important to us. This tournament is an excellent opportunity to further strengthen the relationship between our two clubs and to share a special sporting moment together.”
Thilo Späth-Westerholt, Managing Director of VfB Friedrichshafen: “We are very pleased to have been invited to Hartberg and would already like to commend TSV Raiffeisen Hartberg for the excellent organization. For us, this is a fantastic opportunity to face these teams during preseason. These kinds of tough tests are exactly what we need to get our team playing together optimally and to make the best possible start to the new season.”
Rasto Oderlap, President of ACH Volley Ljubljana: “The tournament in Hartberg will be the first real test for our team this season. We have the opportunity to assess our current level of performance, further develop our team cohesion and, above all, see where we stand compared with very strong opponents. We would also like to thank TSV Hartberg for their hospitality and congratulate them on putting together such a strong and attractive tournament. We are very happy to be part of the Coppa and are already looking forward to Hartberg, the matches against the top teams and the shared experiences with everyone involved.”
Match schedule
Thursday, October 1:
5:30 p.m.: VfB Friedrichshafen – ACH Volley Ljubljana
8:00 p.m.: TSV Raiffeisen Hartberg Volleyball – RANA Verona Volley
Friday, October 2:
5:30 p.m.: Bronze medal match
8:00 p.m.: Final
