# 2022–23 CEV Challenge Cup

The 2022–23 CEV Challenge Cup was the 43rd edition of the third tier European volleyball club competition organised by the European Volleyball Confederation.

## Participating teams

The draw was held on 28 June 2022 in Luxembourg City.
| Rank | Country | Number of teams | Teams |
| 5 | Czech Republic | 1 | Aero Odolena Voda |
| 6 | Portugal | 2 | AJ Fonte Bastardo Azores, Sporting CP |
| 7 | Belgium | 1 | Aalst |
| 8 | Romania | 1 | Steaua |
| 9 | Switzerland | 2 | Näfels,Lausanne |
| 10 | Bulgaria | 2 | Burgas,Montana |
| 11 | Finland | 2 | Akaa, Tiikerit |
| 12 | Austria | 2 | Amstetten, Ried Volleyball |
| 13 | Netherlands | 1 | Doetinchem |
| 15 | Estonia | 2 | Parnu, Tartu |
| 16 | Hungary | 1 | VRC Kazincbarcia |
| 17 | Greece | 4 | Milon, Olympiacos Piraeus, PAOK Thessaloniki, Panathinaikos Athens |
| 19 | Ukraine | 2 | Epicentr Podolyany, Prometey |
| 20 | Croatia | 2 | Ribola Kastela, Varazdin |
| 21 | Spain | 2 | Guaguas, Melilla |
| 23 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 1 | Borac Banja Luka |
| 24 | Norway | 1 | Viking |
| 26 | Slovenia | 2 | Maribor, Pomgrad |
| 28 | Cyprus | 1 | Omonoia |
| 29 | Israel | 3 | Hapoel Kfar Saba, Hapoel Mate Asher, Maccabi Tel Aviv, |
| 30 | Albania | 1 | SK Tirana |
| 32 | Kosovo | 1 | Ferizaj |
| 35 | Slovakia | 4 | Komarno, Presov, Rieker Komarno, Spartak Myjava |
| 37 | Luxembourg | 2 | Bartreng, Stroosen |
| 41 | Azerbaijan | 1 | Murov |

## Format

Qualification round (Home and away matches):
* 32nd Finals
Main phase (Home and away matches):
* 16th Finals → 8th Finals → 4th Finals
Final phase (Home and away matches):
* Semifinals → Finals
Aggregate score is counted as follows: 3 points for 3–0 or 3–1 win, 2 points for 3–2 win, 1 point for 2–3 loss. In case the teams are tied after two legs, a Golden Set is played immediately at the completion of the second leg.

## Qualification round
### 32nd Finals

| Team 1 | Agg.Tooltip Aggregate score | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg | Golden Set |
| Maccabi Tel Aviv | 6–0 | Ferizaj | 3–0 | 3–0 |
| PAOK Thessaloniki | 6–0 | Näfels | 3–1 | 3–1 |
| Ried Volleyball | 0–6 | Omonoia | 1–3 | 0–3 |
| Hapoel Kfar Saba | 4–2 | Amstetten | 3–1 | 2–3 |
| Epicentr Podolyany | 4–2 | Maribor | 3–0 | 2–3 |
| Rieker Komarno | 6–0 | SK Tirana | 3–1 | 3–1 |
| Guaguas | 3–3 | Burgas | 3–1 | 1–3 | 13–15 |
| Milon | 1–5 | Hapoel Mate Asher | 2–3 | 1–3 |
| Pomgrad | 2–4 | Tiikerit | 3–2 | 1–3 |
| Varaždin | 0–6 | Murov | 0–3 | 1–3 |
| Bartreng | 0–6 | Stroosen | 1–3 | 1–3 |
| Spartak Myjava | 0–6 | Panathinaikos Athens | 1–3 | 1–3 |

#### First leg

| Date | Time | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total | Report |
| 11 Oct | 20:00 | Ferizaj | 0–3 | Maccabi Tel Aviv | 5–25 | 9–25 | 9–25 | | | 23–75 | Report |
| 12 Oct | 19:00 | PAOK Thessaloniki | 3–1 | Näfels | 20–25 | 25–20 | 25–15 | 25–13 | | 95–73 | Report |
| 12 Oct | 19:30 | Ried | 1–3 | Omonoia | 19–25 | 26–24 | 22–25 | 14–25 | | 81–99 | Report |
| 11 Oct | 19:00 | Amstetten | 1–3 | Hapoel Kfar Saba | 25–21 | 20–25 | 21–25 | 18–25 | | 84–96 | Report |
| 12 Oct | 18:00 | Epicentr Podolyany | 3–0 | Maribor | 25–12 | 25–16 | 25–18 | | | 75–46 | Report |
| 12 Oct | 19:00 | Rieker Komarno | 3–1 | SK Tirana | 25–21 | 25–12 | 20–25 | 25–18 | | 95–76 | Report |
| 12 Oct | 18:00 | Guaguas | 3–1 | Burgas Volley | 23–25 | 25–12 | 30–28 | 25–13 | | 103–78 | Report |
| 12 Oct | 20:00 | Milon | 2–3 | Hapoel Mate Asher | 25–17 | 18–25 | 25–16 | 14–25 | 8–15 | 90–98 | Report |
| 12 Oct | 19:00 | Pomgrad | 3–2 | Tiikerit | 19–25 | 20–25 | 25–22 | 26–24 | 18–16 | 108–112 | Report |
| 19 Oct | 18:00 | Varaždin | 0–3 | Murov | 19–25 | 18–25 | 20–25 | | | 57–75 | Report |
| 12 Oct | 19:00 | Bartreng | 1–3 | Stroosen | 22–25 | 18–25 | 25–14 | 17–25 | | 82–89 | Report |
| 11 Oct | 19:00 | VO TJ Spartak Myjava | 1–3 | Panathinaikos Athens | 16–25 | 11–25 | 25–21 | 14–25 | | 66–96 | Report |

#### Second leg

| Date | Time | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total | Report |
| 12 Oct | 20:00 | Maccabi Tel Aviv | 3–0 | Ferizaj | 25–2 | 25–14 | 25–11 | | | 75–27 | Report |
| 19 Oct | 19:00 | Näfels | 1–3 | PAOK Thessaloniki | 16–25 | 15–20 | 25–23 | 18–25 | | 74–93 | Report |
| 13 Oct | 19:30 | Omonoia | 3–0 | Ried | 25–18 | 32–30 | 22–25 | 25–20 | | 104–93 | Report |
| 12 Oct | 16:30 | Hapoel Kfar Saba | 2–3 | Amstetten | 29–27 | 25–22 | 19–25 | 20–25 | 7–15 | 100–114 | Report |
| 19 Oct | 19:00 | Maribor | 2–3 | Epicentr Podolyany | 29–27 | 25–21 | 13–25 | 14–25 | 8–15 | 89–113 | Report |
| 19 Oct | 19:00 | SK Tirana | 1–3 | Rieker Komarno | 25–18 | 16–25 | 19–25 | 21–25 | | 81–93 | Report |
| 20 Oct | 19:00 | Burgas Volley | 3–1 | Guaguas | 23–25 | 25–22 | 25–18 | 25–22 | | 98–87 | Report |
| Golden set | Golden set | Burgas Volley | 15–13 | Guaguas |
| 20 Oct | 19:00 | Hapoel Mate Asher | 3–1 | Milon | 25–13 | 25–16 | 18–25 | 23–25–16 | | 91–79 | Report |
| 20 Oct | 18:30 | Tiikerit | 3–1 | Pomgrad | 25–16 | 20–25 | 25–17 | 25–21 | | 95–79 | Report |
| 20 Oct | 18:00 | Murov | 3–1 | Varaždin | 23–25 | 25–18 | 25–20 | 25–17 | | 98–80 | Report |
| 19 Oct | 19:30 | Stroosen | 3–1 | Bartreng | 25–23 | 13–25 | 25–21 | 25–20 | | 88–89 | Report |
| 11 Oct | 19:00 | Panathinaikos Athens | 3–1 | Spartak Mijava | 25–16 | 25–17 | 26–28 | 25–23 | | 101–84 | Report |

## Main phase
### 16th Finals

| Team 1 | Agg.Tooltip Aggregate score | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg |
| VRC Kazincbarcia | 0–6 | Maccabi Tel Aviv | 1–3 | 1–3 |
| PAOK Thessaloniki | 6–0 | Montana Volley | 3–0 | 3–1 |
| Omonia Nicosia | 5–1 | Ribola Kaštela | 3–2 | 3–1 |
| Hapoel Kfar Saba | 0–6 | Aalst | 1–3 | 0–3 |
| Presov | 2–4 | Tartu | 3–2 | 0–3 |
| AJ Fonte Bastardo Azores | 6–0 | Akaa | 3–0 | 3–0 |
| Epicentr Podolyany | 0–6 | Melilla | 0–3 | 0–3 |
| Parnu | 0–6 | Sporting CP | 0–3 | 0–3 |
| Komarno | 0–6 | Olympiacos Piraeus | 1–3 | 0–3 |
| Burgas | 6–0 | Lausanne | 3–1 | 3–1 |
| Hapoel Mate Asher | 6–0 | Prometey | 3–1 | 3–1 |
| Tiikerit | 1–5 | Steaua | 2–3 | 0–3 |
| Stroosen | 0–6 | Doetinchem | 0–3 | 0–3 |
| Graz | 0–6 | Murov | 0–3 | 0–3 |
| Viking | 6–0 | Borac Banja Luka | 3–0 | 3–0 |
| Panathinaikos Athens | 6–0 | Odolena Voda | 3–0 | 3–1 |

#### First leg

| Date | Time | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total | Report |
| 17 Nov | 18:00 | Maccabi Tel Aviv | 3–1 | VRC Kazincbarcia | 23–25 | 25–16 | 25–13 | 25–19 | | 98–73 | Report |
| 9 Nov | 19:00 | PAOK Thessaloniki | 3–0 | Montana Volley | 25–19 | 25–15 | 25–16 | | | 75–50 | Report |
| 15 Nov | 17:30 | Omonia Nicosia | 3–2 | Ribola Kaštela | 20–25 | 25–19 | 23–25 | 25–16 | 15–12 | 108–97 | Report |
| 9 Nov | 19:00 | Hapoel Kfar Saba | 1–3 | Aalst | 23–25 | 18–25 | 26–24 | 23–25 | | 90–99 | Report |
| 8 Nov | 18:00 | Presov | 3–2 | Tartu | 22–25 | 23–25 | 26–24 | 25–20 | 15–10 | 111–104 | Report |
| 9 Nov | 20:30 | AJ Fonte Bastardo Azores | 3–0 | Akaa | 26–24 | 25–18 | 25–20 | | | 76–62 | Report |
| 10 Nov | 18:00 | Epicentr Podolyany | 0–3 | Melilla | 15–25 | 21–25 | 22–25 | | | 58–75 | Report |
| 9 Nov | 19:00 | Parnu | 0–3 | Sporting CP | 17–25 | 12–25 | 14–25 | | | 43–75 | Report |
| 9 Nov | 19:00 | Komarno | 1–3 | Olympiacos Piraeus | 18–25 | 25–16 | 24–26 | 19–25 | | 86–92 | Report |
| 8 Nov | 19:00 | Burgas | 3–1 | Lausanne | 27–25 | 25–12 | 19–25 | 25–17 | | 96–79 | Report |
| 8 Nov | 19:00 | Hapoel Mate Asher | 3–1 | Prometey | 25–16 | 25–21 | 21–25 | 25–20 | | 96–82 | Report |
| 9 Nov | 18:30 | Tiikerit | 2–3 | Steaua | 20–25 | 25–16 | 18–25 | 25–23 | 9–15 | 97–104 | Report |
| 9 Nov | 19:00 | Stroosen | 0–3 | Doetinchem | 20–25 | 20–25 | 22–25 | | | 62–75 | Report |
| 9 Nov | 18:00 | Murov | 3–0 | Graz | 25–13 | 25–12 | 25–23 | | | 75–48 | Report |
| 9 Nov | 19:00 | Viking | 3–0 | Borac Banja Luka | 25–18 | 25–16 | 25–18 | | | 75–52 | Report |
| 9 Nov | 18:00 | Panathinaikos Athens | 3–0 | Odolena Voda | 25–19 | 25–14 | 25–19 | | | 75–52 | Report |

#### Second leg

| Date | Time | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Total | Report |
| 16 Nov | 18:00 | VRC Kazincbarcia | 1–3 | Maccabi Tel Aviv | 25–22 | 21–25 | 16–25 | 16–25 | 78–97 | Report |
| 16 Nov | 18:00 | Montana Volley | 1–3 | PAOK Thessaloniki | 20–25 | 16–25 | 25–23 | 20–25 | 81–98 | Report |
| 16 Nov | 17:30 | Ribola Kaštela | 1–3 | Omonia Nicosia | 20–25 | 15–25 | 25–18 | 22–25 | 82–93 | Report |
| 16 Nov | 20:30 | Aalst | 3–0 | Hapoel Kfar Saba | 25–18 | 25–17 | 25–20 | | 75–55 | Report |
| 16 Nov | 19:00 | Tartu | 3–0 | Presov | 25–23 | 25–14 | 25–23 | | 75–60 | Report |
| 16 Nov | 18:30 | Akaa | 0–3 | AJ Fonte Bastardo Azores | 21–25 | 22–25 | 22–25 | | 65–75 | Report |
| 16 Nov | 20:00 | Melilla | 3–0 | Epicentr Podolyany | 25–19 | 25–21 | 25–21 | | 75–61 | Report |
| 16 Nov | 19:30 | Sporting CP | 3–0 | Parnu | 25–17 | 25–15 | 25–19 | | 75–51 | Report |
| 16 Nov | 19:00 | Olympiacos Piraeus | 3–0 | Komarno | 25–12 | 25–21 | 25–21 | | 75–54 | Report |
| 16 Nov | 19:00 | Lausanne | 1–3 | Burgas | 25–22 | 16–25 | 15–25 | 19–25 | 75–97 | Report |
| 10 Nov | 19:00 | Prometey | 1–3 | Hapoel Mate Asher | 32–30 | 22–25 | 20–25 | 26–28 | 100–108 | Report |
| 16 Nov | 18:00 | Steaua | 3–0 | Tiikerit | 25–21 | 25–21 | 25–17 | | 75–59 | Report |
| 16 Nov | 20:00 | Doetinchem | 3–0 | Stroosen | 25–18 | 25–8 | 25–13 | | 75–39 | Report |
| 8 Nov | 19:00 | Graz | 0–3 | Murov | 13–25 | 18–25 | 23–25 | | 54–75 | Report |
| 10 Nov | 19:00 | Borac Banja Luka | 0–3 | Viking | 16–25 | 16–25 | 18–25 | | 50–75 | Report |
| 16 Nov | 18:00 | Odolena Voda | 1–3 | Panathinaikos Athens | 25–15 | 21–25 | 21–25 | 19–25 | 86–90 | Report |

### 8th Finals

| Team 1 | Agg.Tooltip Aggregate score | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg |
| Maccabi Tel Aviv | 5–1 | PAOK Thessaloniki | 3–1 | 3–2 |
| Omonia Nicosia | 5–1 | Aalst | 3–1 | 3–2 |
| Tartu | 0–6 | AJ Fonte Bastardo Azores | 1–3 | 1–3 |
| Melilla | 2–4 | Sporting CP | 3–2 | 1–3 |
| Olympiacos Piraeus | 4–2 | Burgas | 3–0 | 2–3 |
| Hapoel Mate Asher | 2–4 | Steaua | 3–2 | 1–3 |
| Doetinchem | 6–0 | Murov | 3–1 | 3–1 |
| Viking | 0–6 | Panathinaikos Athens | 0–3 | 0–3 |

#### First leg

| Date | Time | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total | Report |
| 1 Dec | 20:00 | Maccabi Tel Aviv | 3–1 | PAOK Thessaloniki | 25–27 | 25–22 | 25–17 | 32–30 | | 107–96 | Report |
| 29 Nov | 20:00 | Omonia Nicosia | 3–1 | Aalst | 25–19 | 27–25 | 16–25 | 25–22 | | 93–91 | Report |
| 30 Nov | 19:00 | Tartu | 1–3 | AJ Fonte Bastardo Azores | 21–25 | 14–25 | 25–20 | 19–25 | | 79–95 | Report |
| 30 Nov | 18:00 | Melilla | 3–2 | Sporting CP | 21–25 | 32–30 | 25–21 | 19–25 | 15–11 | 112–112 | Report |
| 30 Nov | 19:00 | Olympiacos Piraeus | 3–0 | Burgas | 25–19 | 25–22 | 25–18 | | | 75–59 | Report |
| 30 Nov | 19:00 | Hapoel Mate Asher | 3–2 | Steaua | 19–25 | 15–25 | 25–23 | 25–19 | 15–13 | 99–105 | Report |
| 1 Dec | 20:00 | Doetinchem | 3–1 | Murov | 29–27 | 19–25 | 25–12 | 25–19 | | 98–83 | Report |
| 1 Dec | 19:00 | Viking | 0–3 | Panathinaikos Athens | 20–25 | 17–25 | 23–25 | | | 60–75 | Report |

#### Second leg

| Date | Time | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total | Report |
| 15 Dec | 20:00 | PAOK Thessaloniki | 2–3 | Maccabi Tel Aviv | 15–25 | 25–21 | 21–25 | 26–24 | 13–15 | 100–110 | Report |
| 14 Dec | 20:30 | Aalst | 2–3 | Omonia Nicosia | 25–18 | 21–25 | 25–22 | 22–25 | 11–15 | 104–105 | Report |
| 14 Dec | 20:30 | AJ Fonte Bastardo Azores | 3–1 | Tartu | 25–17 | 22–25 | 25–11 | 25–13 | | 97–66 | Report |
| 14 Dec | 19:30 | Sporting CP | 3–1 | Melilla | 29–27 | 25–19 | 19–25 | 25–17 | | 98–88 | Report |
| 13 Dec | 19:00 | Burgas | 3–2 | Olympiacos Piraeus | 27–29 | 23–25 | 25–18 | 30–28 | 18–16 | 123–116 | Report |
| 15 Dec | 18:00 | Steaua | 3–1 | Hapoel Mate Asher | 24–26 | 25–13 | 25–19 | 25–20 | | 99–78 | Report |
| 15 Dec | 18:00 | Murov | 1–3 | Doetinchem | 23–25 | 25–22 | 23–25 | 22–25 | | 93–97 | Report |
| 14 Dec | 21:00 | Panathinaikos Athens | 3–0 | Viking | 25–18 | 25–14 | 25–16 | | | 75–48 | Report |

### 4th Finals

| Team 1 | Agg.Tooltip Aggregate score | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg | Golden Set |
| Maccabi Tel Aviv | 6–0 | Omonia Nicosia | 3–0 | 3–1 |
| AJ Fonte Bastardo Azores | 5–1 | Sporting CP | 3–0 | 3–2 |
| Olympiacos Piraeus | 5–1 | Steaua | 3–1 | 3–2 |
| Doetinchem | 3–3 | Panathinaikos Athens | 1–3 | 3–0 | 12–15 |

#### First leg

| Date | Time | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Total | Report |
| 12 Jan | 20:00 | Maccabi Tel Aviv | 3–0 | Omonia Nicosia | 25–21 | 25–20 | 25–16 | | 75–57 | Report |
| 11 Jan | 20:30 | AJ Fonte Bastardo Azores | 3–0 | Sporting CP | 26–24 | 25–19 | 25–21 | | 76–64 | Report |
| 10 Jan | 17:00 | Olympiacos Piraeus | 3–1 | Steaua | 23–25 | 25–16 | 25–16 | 25–19 | 98–76 | Report |
| 11 Jan | 20:00 | Doetinchem | 1–3 | Panathinaikos Athens | 27–25 | 23–25 | 21–25 | 22–25 | 93–100 | Report |

#### Second leg

| Date | Time | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total | Report |
| 26 Jan | 20:00 | Omonia Nicosia | 1–3 | Maccabi Tel Aviv | 22–25 | 23–25 | 25–21 | 12–25 | | 82–96 | Report |
| 25 Jan | 19:30 | Sporting CP | 2–3 | AJ Fonte Bastardo Azores | 19–25 | 25–21 | 25–23 | 19–25 | 10–15 | 98–109 | Report |
| 26 Jan | 18:00 | Steaua | 2–3 | Olympiacos Piraeus | 15–25 | 21–25 | 25–15 | 25–20 | 11–15 | 97–100 | Report |
| 25 Jan | 17:30 | Panathinaikos Athens | 0–3 | Doetinchem | 22–25 | 23–25 | 20–25 | | | 65–75 | Report |
| Golden set | Golden set | Panathinaikos Athens | 15–12 | Doetinchem |

## Final phase
### Semifinals

| Team 1 | Agg.Tooltip Aggregate score | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg | Golden Set |
| Maccabi Tel Aviv | 4–2 | AJ Fonte Bastardo Azores | 3–1 | 2–3 |
| Olympiacos Piraeus | 3–3 | Panathinaikos Athens | 1–3 | 3–1 | 15–6 |

#### First leg

| Date | Time | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total | Report |
| 7 Feb | 20:00 | Maccabi Tel Aviv | 3–1 | AJ Fonte Bastardo Azores | 24–26 | 25–21 | 25–18 | 25–23 | | 99–88 | Report |
| 7 Feb | 20:00 | Olympiacos Piraeus | 1–3 | Panathinaikos Athens | 25–21 | 21–25 | 23–25 | 24–26 | | 93–97 | Report |

#### Second leg

| Date | Time | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total | Report |
| 15 Feb | 20:30 | AJ Fonte Bastardo Azores | 3–2 | Maccabi Tel Aviv | 25–18 | 23–25 | 22–25 | 25–23 | 15–10 | 110–101 | Report |
| 16 Feb | 14:30 | Panathinaikos Athens | 1–3 | Olympiacos Piraeus | 25–22 | 25–27 | 21–25 | 17–25 | | 88–99 | Report |
| Golden set | Golden set | Panathinaikos Athens | 6–15 | Olympiacos Piraeus |

### Finals

| Team 1 | Agg.Tooltip Aggregate score | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg |
| Maccabi Tel Aviv | 0–6 | Olympiacos Piraeus | 0–3 | 0–3 |

#### First leg

| Date | Time | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total | Report |
| 5 Mar | 20:30 | Maccabi Tel Aviv | 0–3 | Olympiacos Piraeus | 20–25 | 23–25 | 14–25 | | | 57–75 | Report |

#### Second leg

| Date | Time | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total | Report |
| 15 Mar | 20:00 | Olympiacos Piraeus | 3–0 | Maccabi Tel Aviv | 25–16 | 25–21 | 25–16 | | | 75–53 | Report |

## Final standings

* 2022–23 CEV Challenge Cup winner
* Olympiacos Piraeus (1st title)
* Alen Pajenk, Dimitris Komitoudis, Tonček Štern, Mateo Hasbala, Gustavo Bonatto, Nikolas Papangelopoulos, Rafail Koumentakis, Spyros Chandrinos, Nikos Zoupanis, Dragan Travica, Dimitris Tziavras, Crysostomos Koltsiakis, Anestis Dalakouras, Dimosthenis Linardos, Salvador Hidalgo Oliva
* Head coach
* Alberto Giuliani
| Rank | Team |
| | Olympiacos Piraeus |
| | Maccabi Tel Aviv |
| Semifinalists | Panathinaikos Athens AJ Fonte Bastardo Azores |