Impeccable, VakifBank and Imoco with another #CLVolleyW wins
On Tuesday, VakifBank Istanbul and A. Carraro Imoco Conegliano did their job right against FC Porto and VC Maritza Plovdiv, respectively, winning in three sets their Leg 4 matches.
VakifBank ISTANBUL (TUR) 3-0 FC PORTO (POR)
The Turkish powerhouse VakifBank ISTANBUL sealed yet another win in this year’s edition of Europe’s top club competition - the CEV Champions League Volleyball. This is the fourth victory for the players around head Giovanni Guidetti in this #CLVolleyW season and, currently, they are topping the charts in Pool C.
The Turkish ladies, who hosted the game in front of almost 2000 spectators in Vakifbank Spor Sarayi in Istanbul, took the leadership position right after the first referee whistle, and leading comfortably (14-10, 17-10), emerged victorious in the opener at 25-14.
Nothing changed in the second set either, as captain Zehra Gunes and her teammates were in complete control (17-13), getting closer to the win after 25-18.
The third set seemed to be the most intriguing one as the guests from FC Porto tried delivering their best and kept a smaller point difference in the first part (7-5, 13-11). However, VakifBank reacted quickly (21-15) and claimed the win after 25-18.
Statistically, the Turkish team outplayed their opponents on all counts: 43 to 28 winning spikes, eight to two kill blocks, 11 to four aces.
Setter Cansu Ozbay, who is back on the Volleyball court after an injury, was chosen for an MVP of the game. Kiera Van Ryk of VakifBank became top scorer of the game, recording 13 points to her name.
Cansu Ozbay“I am really happy that we won four games in Champions Leagues so far. It is very important to finish first in the group. We had a good game, there was also a great atmosphere in the gym. Finally, Ii am back. It took a long time, and I appreciate everybody who supported me. I am proud of my teammates, they work so hard.”
Player of VakifBank Istanbul
Giovanni Guidetti“There are many emotions. We did our job, we won 3-0. They made one transfer, and came here as a better team. They pushed us, but the great news for us is that Cansu can play again. The rehabilitation was long, in the summer, she was not able to walk. I want to thank the medical staff and the doctors that she had. Overall, the team is working well and we are looking forward to a tough match in the domestic league in Türkiye.”
Head coach of VakifBank Istanbul
Miguel Coelho“It was a tough match for us. VakıfBank is a great team. It was a great experience for us. Again, it's just our second year of the project, and we are in the Champions League playing against one of the best teams in the world. So, I'm a proud coach. We have to learn from these kinds of opponents to be better in the Portuguese League. We feel that we can do better! We will try to do better against Vero Volley, against Calcit, but it was a fair result for VakıfBank.”
Coach of FC Porto
Joana Resende“It was a difficult match for us. The difference between the two teams is too big, and we know that. The challenge for this game is to do better than we did in the last game at home. Our mentality is to win all the games, but we are at the same time realistic because it’s a competition that we are playing for the first time, and we have to grow as a team.”
Player of FC Porto
A. Carraro Imoco CONEGLIANO (ITA) 3-0 Maritza PLOVDIV (BUL)
It was the 15th #CLVolleyW victory in a row for the Italians and their last match on the European Volleyball Stage before the reigning #CLVolleyW champions leave for the FIVB World Club Championship in China.
It was a close call in the beginning of the first set (7-7, 13-12), but Imoco, led by stars Isabelle Haak (eight points in the first set), Zhu and Gabi, quickly took control (18-13) and opened in their favour at 25-18.
The Italians showed their power in the second set (17-11) dominating in the different Volleyball components, and emerging victorious at 25-12, as the Bulgarian team couldn’t find any proper response.
Maritza were leading for the first time in the match in the first minutes of the third set (2-3, 4-5), but the experienced Italian team left no room for surprises, regaining dominance (10-8) and winning at 25-19.
Imoco recorded as many as 11 kill blocks (to two by their oppoennts), 38 winning spikes (to 29), and five aces (to four).
CristinaChirichella was named MVP of the match (eight points), while her teammate Isabelle Haak finished as a top scorer (19pts.).
Joanna Wolosz‘It was not a difficult game for us, it was the last test before leaving for the World Cup in China, and we wanted to play a good match to prepare ourselves well and to continue our good strike in the CEV Champions League. There was the risk of not having the focus on this match, instead, we were good and kept our concentration.”
Player of A. Carraro Imoco Conegliano
Iva Dudova‘We played a good game on the field of one of the strongest teams in the World, maybe we could have done something more, but against them, it is very difficult. Now, we have to give everything we have in the next two games because we want to grow.”
Player of Maritza Plovdiv