Turan look supreme as Khilasedichi suffer home loss on a historic night for Azerbaijan

Tuesday night’s fixtures ended in contrasting fortunes for Azerbaijan’s representatives in the elite CEV Champions League Volley 2027. Turan TOVUZ looked dominant in their away fixture in Round 3 of the women’s competition, whereas Khilasedichi BAKU suffered a 2-3 home loss in their historic #CLVolleyM debut. 

Rookies Turan TOVUZ, crowned Azerbaijan’s national champions last year, needed 81 minutes only to cruise to a 3-0 victory over Maritza PLOVDIV (25-22, 25-22, 25-20) at the iconic Kolodruma Hall. Even though home favourite Aleksandra Kitipova top scored with 20 points, the much more experienced players wearing the shirt of Turan prevailed through a strong collective effort. Yang Hanyu topped the charts with 15 points for the visitors and Turan need to win at home next week by any score to progress to the group stage of the competition in their first-ever participation in the #CLVolleyW. Turan are trying to follow in the footsteps of legendary teams from Azerbaijan such as Rabita BAKU – members of the real European elite more than a decade ago. 

Khilasedichi, on the other hand, suffered a 2-3 loss at the hands of Portugal’s Sporting CP LISBOA in Round 2 of the men’s competition. The home side delighted 1,500 fans in attendance as the stormed to a 2-1 lead in the match with the Portuguese national champions but they failed to seize the night as Sporting rose to the occasion to claim the fourth set and subsequent tiebreak as well. Cuba’s Luis Enrique Reyes Rodriguez scored the most points for Khilasedichi (23) as another Cuban, Jorge Luis Alayo Moliner, registered 19 for Sporting. Everything is still to play for next week in Lisbon where Sporting will require a win by any score if they are to avoid a Golden Set.