Robertlandy Simón named MVP as Cubans claim CEV Cup with Piacenza — club's first European title

April 27, 2026

Cuban volleyball players Robertlandy Simón Aties and José Miguel Gutiérrez Suárez claimed the 2026 CEV Cup with Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza on April 22, marking the club's first-ever European title. Piacenza defeated Germany's SVG Lüneburg 3-0 (25-20, 25-17, 25-21) in the second leg of the final, played before a packed PalabancaSport in Piacenza, Italy.

Robertlandy Simón was the standout performer of the final, scoring 11 points and earning the MVP award. The veteran middle blocker, who turns 39 in June, anchored Piacenza's defense and attack in equal measure. José Miguel Gutiérrez, the 24-year-old outside hitter from Villa Clara, contributed 8 winning attacks in the decisive match, cementing his reputation as one of Italian volleyball's most complete wing spikers.

The two-legged final was never in doubt after Piacenza swept Lüneburg on German soil in the first leg on April 15. In the return match at home, the Italian side controlled proceedings from start to finish: a confident 25-20 in the first set, a dominant 25-17 in the second, and a composed 25-21 to seal the title in three.

Over the full Italian Superliga season, Simón registered 180 points with 66% efficiency, 39 blocks and 28 aces. Gutiérrez finished tenth among the league's top scorers with 368 total points, including 297 attacks, 34 blocks and 37 serves, for 48.7% efficiency — an outstanding return for a wing spiker in the world's most competitive club league.

For Simón, a stalwart of Italian volleyball for nearly a decade and a former captain of Cuba's national team, the CEV Cup crowns a distinguished European career. For Gutiérrez, who began abroad in France — winning the French Cup with Stade Poitevin and both the French Cup and Super Cup with Chaumont — this is his third European trophy. Together, the two Cubans have written their names into Piacenza's history books.