VakifBank closer to meeting Conegliano in the #SuperFinalsLjubljana
Report
Delivering a great spectacle on Thursday evening, and to the delight of all fans of Turkish Volleyball, the two of the strongest local teams - Vakifbank and Fenerbahce, locked horns in the home semi-final match in this season’s edition of Europe’s top club women’s competition - CEV Champions League Volley 2022. The two powerhouses of Istanbul battled it out in front of a full house at Vakifbank Spor Sarayi, but it was CLVolleyW 2021 runners-up of VakifBank who prevailed, and claimed a 3-1 victory.
This way, the players around head coach Giovanni Guidetti made an important step towards the #SuperFinalsLjbljana, and if they seize another victory next week in the away match, Volleyball supporters will enjoy a rematch of last year’s Big Finale as the winner of this semi-final tie will meet A. Carraro Imoco CONEGLIANO.
On the other hand, Fenerbahçe Opet will search for a second Champions League victory against VakifBank ISTANBUL next week, in the final-deciding away semi-final match, as their only won was a five-set victory in the second leg of the 2014/15 Playoffs 6 in Istanbul.
Gabriela Braga Guimaraes (Gabi) of VakifBank was chosen for MVP on tonight’s matchup, scoring as many as 22 points for the win. On the other hand, 25 points by top scorer Melissa Vargas of Fenerbahce weren’t enough for a better outcome for the guests in this fixture.
The first set set the tone for an exciting match ahead, with Swedish superstar of VakifBank - up and running, Isabelle Haak, scoring the opening point. However, none of the teams was taking the lead in the first minutes of the match, as the Turkish giants were testing each other, trying to find their rhythm and settling in. Fenerbahce let some own errors affect the score, but still, with Vargas gaining power, they could stand good on the court, while VakifBank’s Gabi came to the first line. The fans then enjoyed some spectacular rallies, as the teams were playing point for point (3-3, 7-7, 10-10).
However, VakifBank were able to prevail over the opponent and score a break point (Gabi for 16-14). Gradually building a point difference in their favour, VakifBank didn’t lose the initiative and opened in their favour. As many as 18 attacks to their names turned out to be the key to the success in this set (to 13 by Fenerbahce). Vargas was the best in these moments, with seven points to her name, while for VakifBank, Gabi scored six times.
VakifBank were off to a great start in the second set (3-0, 5-1). Although Fenerbahce’s Arina Fedorovtseva on the serving tried to make it difficult for Vakifbank’s reception (one ace for 6-4), the hosts of this match showed great concentration and kept dominating on the court. With the set unfolding, the players around head coach Giovanni Guidetti were even more precise in the deciding moments, and even though this time around it was Vargas delivering powerful serves (12-7), it wasn’t enough to stop VakifBank, as they never looked back and emerged victorious, even though Fenerbahce saved three setpoints. The successful blocking (6) in this set was crucial for VakifBank. On the other side of the net, the players, coached by Zoran Terzic aced more (four to one), but needed more to tie the score.
Both sides delivered a rather equal performance in the beginning of the third set (7-7, 10-10,12-12). The nail-biting spectacle continued throughout the whole third set, as the teams went point-for-point, showing nerves of steel. The battle between the teams’ top scorers - Gabi and Vargas, was on, but eventually an ace by Vargas at 23-21 for Fenerbahce, turned out to be a key moment. Another ace, this time around by Ana Cristina, put the end of the discussion in this part, and the guests got back in the match.
Gabi was on fire in the first minutes of the last set, while Fenerbahce struggled in reception, and couldn’t catch the momentum. VakifBank showed a true team spirit, and enjoyed to the fullest the game, leading at 9-3. Although Fenerbahce fought hard until the very last moment (saving two matchpoints), they weren’t able to get closer and bring the match into a tie break.
Gabi“It was really important for us, to make this first step. It was a difficult match, we didn’t expect to win 3-0. We knew that we needed to show aggressivitiy, as we know their power in block-defence. Next match, we will have to do the same, although it won’t be easy in front of their fans.“
Player of VakifBank Istanbul
Michelle Bartsch-Hackley"Fenerbahce Opet are a very strong team. We've met each other many times this season, and we always knew what we can expect and how hard this game would be. I am very happy that we won. Now, an even more difficult test awaits us, because next week, we will play in front of their fans. We are very excited about that match.”
Player of VakifBank Istanbul