Canadians in Action: January 31st
Michael Amoroso (Toronto, Ont) is expected to make his return to CV Mitteldeutschland today
Bundesliga
VT Aurubis Hamburg vs. VC Wiesbaden - Noon ET/ 9:00 a.m. PT
Lucy Charuk (Tsawwassen, B.C.), Jenn Lundquist (Surrey, B.C.) and VT Aurubis Hamburg are looking to make it two in-a-row today against a tough team from Wiesbaden. Hamburg surprised Munster, who sit one spot below Wiesbaden last week with a 3-2 victory. Things get significantly harder this week, with Wiesbaden having only lost on four occasions this year and only once in their last five.
Dresdner SC vs. Köpenicker SC Berlin - Noon ET/ 9:00 a.m. PT
Dresdner SC is just too hot to handle! Shanice Marcelle (Victoria, B.C.) and teammates remain a perfect 16-0 this year in the Bundesliga, and are poised to repeat as Champions. Today Köpenicker Berlin stands in their way, a team looking to catch Hamburg in the standings and are on the cusp of relegation.
Rote Raben Vilsbiburg vs. Allianz MTV Stuttgart - 1:30 p.m. ET/ 10:30 a.m. PT
Rote Raben Vilsbiburg stumbled a little in their attempt the right the ship with a 3-1 loss to Schweriner on Wednesday, but Kyla Richey (Robert's Creek, B.C.) and her new teammates get another chance at one of the top teams in the league today against Stuttgart, who sit in second behind only Dresdner.
CV Mitteldeutschland vs. VfB Friedrichshafen - 1:30 p.m. ET/ 10:30 a.m. PT
Rumour has it that former Queen's Gael Michael Amoroso (Toronto, Ont) is set to make his return to the Pirates, and why not do it against one of the best: VfB Friedrichshafen. The perennial power is vulnerable after a 3-2 loss to Berlin and a 3-0 loss to Zenit Kazan in Champions League while the Pirates are on a high after upsetting Buhl last weekend.
SWD powervolleys Düren vs. SVG Lüneburg - 2:00 p.m. ET/ 11:00 a.m. PT
With only a point separating them in the standings, both Düren and Lüneburg have been awaiting this match up hungrily. Today's winner could jump into second place, leaving no room for error for either team. Without the help of Steve Hunt (Brooklin, Ont) who has returned to Canada to rehab his shoulder, Blair Bann (Edmonton, Ab) and Ciaran McGovern (Grande Prairie, AB) will have to step it up against Erik Mattson (Toronto, Ont).
LNV
Tours VB vs. AS Cannes - Noon ET/ 9:00 a.m. PT
It's been a rocky year for Tours VB. The three-time reigning Champions have faltered slightly this year with a 10-7 record. Today, Nick Hoag (Sherbrooke, Que) and teammates have a shot at the team that has replaced them at the top, AS Cannes. With two recent losses to teams featuring Canadians, the time is perfect for Tours to send a message before the playoffs.
Nantes Rezé Métropole vs. St.-Nazaire - 2:00 p.m. ET/ 11:00 a.m. PT
Max Burt (Gander, NLFD) and Nantes could start the climb our of relegation with a big game against St.-Nazaire. Their opponents sit eight points ahead them, but a win today would take a large chunk of that lead away.
Béziers vs. Terville Florange - 2:00 p.m. ET/ 11:00 a.m. PT
With a game at hand and only two points back of the top four, Rebecca Pavan (Waterloo, Ont) and the Béziers Angels have a golden opportunity today against Terrill Florange who sit on the outside looking in on the playoff race.
PlusLiga
PGE Skra Bełchatów vs Transfer Bydgoszcz - 12:00 p.m. ET/ 9:00 a.m. PT
Stephen Marshall (Abbotsford, BC), Justin Duff (Winnipeg, Man) and the rest of the Transfer Bydgoszcz team have a huge match today in the Polish PlusLiga. They take on the #1 ranked PGE Skra Bełchatów. No live stream for this one yet, but you can check out the live scoring and comments at the link above.