Champions League, CEV Cup, and CEV Challenge Cup are international, cream-of-the-crop tournaments. Basically, some of the teams in the top countries play in multi-country playoffs to determine the best teams in all of Europe for any given year. Champions League is the highest level tournament; it consists of the top team from most of the top countries. CEV Cup and CEV Challenge Cup are separate tournaments which usually consist of the second to fourth or fifth place teams from the top countries. Some wealthier, more competitive teams from second tier countries also travel to play in these tournaments if they qualify. Yes, it is always best to play on the highest level European Cup team that you can. Playing on such teams increases your exposure to the highest levels of play and increases your stock for future seasons. Landing spots on European Cup teams can be challenging, even for National Team members, collegiate All-Americans, or National Team development players, but is more beneficial from a competition and financial standpoint.
