While the A2 remains unchanged in terms of playoffs and playouts, the A1 has confirmed a new formula for the coming season:
The 12 top teams will qualify for the playoff quarter-finals, but these will not take place in a traditional knock-out stage. There will be 4 groups of 3 teams, which will meet each other once with the best classified teams having the court advantage. The groups will be composed according to the following classification at the end of the regular season:
A: 1 – 8 – 12
B: 2 – 7 – 11
C: 3 – 6 – 10
D: 4 – 5 – 9
DATE: 7-8-9 April 2012
League semi-finals
The winners of each group are through to the semi-finals, which will be played on a best-of-three basis.
DATE: 12-15-18 April 2012
Challenge Cup semi-finals
The four teams that finished second will meet. If one team is already qualified for the Champions League, it will be substituted by the third classified team of the same group. If both second and third are already qualified for the Champions League, the best classified team of the regular season of the other groups will come into play. To be played on the best of three too.
DATE: 12-15-18 April 2012
Final (V-Day)
Winners of the semis will meet in a neutral arena.
DATE: 22 aprile 2012
Challenge CUP final
Two semi-final winners meet in the arena of the best classified team at the end of the regular season. The winner of this final will take part in the Challenge Cup 2012-13.
DATA: 21 April 2012
European Cup qualification rights 2011/12
1. Champions League (three teams)
A. League winner;
B. Regular season champion;
C. Italian Cup winner.
If one team was to earn the rights twice or three times, the participation in the Champions League would go:
D. League runner-up;
E. Best classified team between the league semi-final losers.
2. CEV Cup (one team)
F. League runner-up, but if it is already in the Champions League, the ticket would go to:
G. Best classified team between the semi-final losers.
3. Challenge Cup (one team)
H. Challenge Cup playoffs winner.
