VakifBank grab their fifth victory and ticket to quarterfinals, ŁKS emerge victorious to stay in quest
Report
VakifBank Istanbul extended their winning streak on Wednesday in the Pool C of the CEV Champions League Volley - 2021, earning their fifth victory and coveted ticket to the quarterfinal. Giovanni Guidetti's squad defeated ASPTT Mulhouse in straight sets. The perfect record of five wins and 15 points has already guaranteed them a victory in the pool standings to continue the journey for the fifth Champions League crown. The emotions run high during the second encounter at Łódź Sport Arena in Poland. The game between ŁKS Commercecon Łódź and VC Maritza Plovdiv was a fierce battle full of turnovers that eventually ended with 3-1 win for the hosts. Thus, the club from Łódź stay in quest for a spot in quarterfinals. On Thursday, they will play a decisive battle against ASPTT Mulhouse with the second place in the Pool C at stake. Once, unbeaten VakifBank Istanbul will face still winless Maritza Plovdiv.
ASPTT MULHOUSE VB (FRA) vs VakifBank ISTANBUL (TUR)
0-3 (15-25; 13-25; 18-25)
Both sides struggled on serving line at the beginning of the set, but despite this and lack of Maja Ognjenovic and Bartsch-Hackley in starting six, VakifBank quickly broke away with a 12-4 lead. ASPTT Mulhouse couldn't find their rhythm and VakifBank took a firm grip winning the set 25-15 and having already a reason to celebrate as this way they have already qualified to quarterfinals. The second set had more competitive start, delivering several exciting rallies. However, from 10-9 the Turkish powerhouse won five consecutive points and took control of the scoreboard for good. The third and last part was dominated by VakifBank from a very beginning. They took a 5-0 lead, the French team tried to catch the score. Having nothing to lose, they reduced the gap to one point at 18-17, but VakifBank were unstoppable on their way for the fifth victory.
- Isabelle Haak scored match-high 17 points (including 15 winning spikes) and was named the MVP of the game.
- Helena Cazaute was a top scorer of ASPTT Mulhouse with 10 points.
- VakifBank Istanbul outspiked ASPTT Mulhouse winning 41 to 25 in this skill.
- Giovanni Guidetti's squad despite winning the second set 25-13 had only 27% of positive receptions.
- ASPTT head coach Francois Salvagni rotated the squad, thus almost all of his players could play against the decorated opponent.
- Isabelle Haak played against her older sister Anna who represents ASPTT.
Milena Rasic"I think that a team from Mullhouse is a pretty good team. We had to be very focused from the beginning. We knew that they can make a lot of troubles on the court. We stayed focused in two first sets, in the third set we could see more fight."
player of VakifBank Istanbul
Ivana Vanjak"VakifBank are a high quality team, currently I can say that they are better than us. They were playing on their level. We really tried. I think we could have done more in the first and second sets. I went all out, I tried my best. If we have a chance to play again, we will definitely make progress and get closer to their level. I think that a good thing is that the Champions League always gives a high level of excitement, so I really don't feel tiredness."
player of ASPTT Mulhouse
VC Maritza PLOVDIV (BUL) vs ŁKS Commercecon ŁÓDŹ (POL)
1-3 (24-26; 18-25; 25-23; 17-25)
The game didn't start well for the hosts. Maritza Plovdiv entered the court fully motivated and with powerful spikes from Aleksandra Milanova they gained a 12-5 lead. ŁKS Commerecon ŁÓDŹ were putting all efforts to shorten the distance. The score was level at 17-17. The nail-biting decisive part, after two saved by Maritza set points, was won by the hosts with Katarina Lazovic's spike. Next set started on point-by-point basis. From 9-9 ŁKS began to build their advantage with three points scored in a row. They improved it to 17-12, Maritza fought back to reduce the gap to 18-17. But the hosts with Britt Bongaerts on serving line re-gained the lead winning five consecutive rallies (23-17) and got a set win. Players of Maritza knew that they it's their last chance to change the result of the game. They took a 8-4 advantage ruthlessly using the opponent's errors. However, similar to first set, ŁKS not only caught up, but stepped up front at 13-11. After short period of lead, scoreboard showed tie at 16-16 and a fierce battle started again. Maritza jumped to 23-20, ŁKS managed to level the score again, but with a first set point the Bulgarian team won the set. With birthday girl - Katarzyna Zaroślińska-Król on serving line the hosts were on 7-3 lead. Maritza tried their best, but ŁKS played almost flawless enlarging their advantage. Katarina Lazovic did a tremendous job winning also the match point.
- The game was the Katarina Lazović's show! She contributed with 25 points to ŁKS victory and enjoyed 61% of positive receptions, 59% of success in spike and in addition served 3 aces! No surprise that she got MVP award.
- Birthday girl Katarzyna Zaroślińska-Król (ŁKS) tallied six points, but with her serve she put pressure on the opponent.
- Aleksandra Malinova was the best scorer of Maritza with 18 points.
- In the decisive part of the first set, coach Michal Masek, replaced an opposite Katarzyna Zaroślińska-Król with Ana Kalandadze, who is a nominal outside hitter.
- Maritza outblocked ŁKS in the third set 4-0
- ŁKS made only one unforced error in the fourth set.
- Maritza’s libero Zhana Todorova suffered a knee injury during the match.
- The hosts went to the second place in the Pool C, thus the game against ASPTT Mulhouse will be decisive for the final standing.
Katarina Lazović"I'm very happy. I have to say that I'm proud of my team. We showed that we can play. We gave all our energy. I like when we give 100%. Then, we can play like this. I'm happy because of MVP, but it's not the most important. I have to thank my team. Without good defence, good serve, block and everything we would not have won."
player of ŁKS Commercecon Łódź
Michal Masek"Katarina Lazovic finally played the way we want. I always trust her and I want her to play at this level because she has the conditions for it. We didn't play on the right wing today. We are ready for tomorrow's game against ASPTT Mulhouse, we watched them in action. They have a better attack distribution, we must definitely serve harder."
head coach of ŁKS Commercecon Łódź