Scandicci: chasing the final step in Istanbul

The CEV Zeren Group Champions League Volley Women Final Four returns to Istanbul, Türkiye, where the Ülker Sports and Event Hall (Ülker Arena) will once again stage the decisive weekend of Europe’s most prestigious club competition. For the second consecutive season, the Turkish volleyball capital becomes the centre of the continental stage, bringing together four elite contenders with one shared ambition: to lift the trophy that defines a season.

Among them, Savino Del Bene Scandicci arrive as one of the most compelling stories of the tournament - a team defined by resilience, firepower, and unfinished business at the very highest level.

A campaign shaped by resilience and margins

Scandicci’s road to Istanbul has been anything but straightforward. Drawn into a demanding Pool A in the fourth round, they finished second behind VakifBank Istanbul, recording four wins from six matches. Both defeats came against the Turkish giants, while the Italian side showed clear authority in their double victories over CS Volei Alba Blaj and Volero Le Cannet.

But it is in the knockout rounds where their campaign gained its defining edge. Scandicci overcame Igor Gorgonzola Novara in the Play-Off round (1-3, 3-1, 15-7 in the Golden Set) and then produced one of the most dramatic comebacks of the season in the Quarter Finals against Fenerbahçe Medicana Istanbul, advancing via the Golden Set (15-13) after trading blows across seven intense sets across the two legs. It was a statement of composure under pressure - and of a team increasingly comfortable in high-stakes moments.

A team built for big nights

Scandicci are the only club in this season’s Final Four yet to win the Champions League, but their credentials in global volleyball are already well established. In December 2025, they were crowned FIVB Women’s Club World Champions, defeating A. Carraro Imoco Conegliano 3-1 in the final. On that occasion, Ekaterina Antropova delivered a standout performance, finishing as top scorer with 99 points and earning MVP honours.

Their Champions League history, however, still carries a sense of near-misses and progression. This marks their second Final Four appearance in consecutive seasons. In 2024/25, they reached the final after a commanding 3-0 semi-final win over VakifBank Istanbul, before falling 0-3 to Conegliano in the gold medal match.

That experience has become part of the team’s identity - a group that has learned how to reach the final stage, but now seeks the final breakthrough.

Statistical dominance and attacking power

Few teams arrive in Istanbul with Scandicci’s statistical footprint. They have recorded 65 aces, more than any other team in the competition, underlining the aggressive serving strategy that often sets the tone of their matches.

At the centre of that efficiency stands Ekaterina Antropova, who leads all players in aces (27) and ranks among the top scorers of the season with 186 points. Her consistency across multiple campaigns has been remarkable: she has been Scandicci’s top scorer in each of the last three Champions League seasons, steadily increasing her influence on the European stage.

She is not alone in shaping Scandicci’s identity. Linda Nwakalor leads the competition in blocking points for the team with 35, adding defensive stability at the net, while the squad’s overall physical balance makes them one of the most complete sides in the tournament.

Experience, leadership, and a shared history of finals

Beyond individual brilliance, Scandicci’s strength lies in experience. Maja Ognjenović, one of the most decorated setters in modern volleyball, continues to bring leadership and composure to the team. Her career spans over two decades, and while she has won major titles such as the CEV Cup and Club World Championship, the Champions League title remains the one missing piece - despite multiple final appearances across different clubs.

That sense of unfinished business extends across the squad. Libero Brenda Castillo, one of the most influential defensive specialists in the game, has also reached multiple Champions League finals with different teams but is still seeking her first European crown at this level.

Even head coach Marco Gaspari arrives in Istanbul with a rare and striking narrative. He has reached the Champions League final in each of the last two seasons - first with Allianz Vero Volley Milano, and then with Scandicci - but on both occasions, he was denied by Conegliano. A third consecutive final would place him among an elite group of coaches in the competition’s modern history, alongside figures such as Giovanni Guidetti and Daniele Santarelli.

The final step

For Scandicci, Istanbul represents more than just another Final Four appearance. It is a continuation of a journey defined by narrow margins, elite opposition, and a growing sense that the final step is within reach.

They arrive not as outsiders, but as a team hardened by experience - Club World Champions, record-breakers in service, and repeat contenders on the European stage. What remains is the most difficult challenge of all: turning consistency at the top level into the ultimate prize in European Volleyball.

Don’t miss the chance to watch Savino Del Bene SCANDICCI in the semi finals of 2026 #CLVolleyW against Turkish opponents Eczacibasi Dynavit ISTANBUL on May 2 at 20:00 local time in Istanbul, 19:00 CEST!