All-Turkish SuperFinal Brings the Most Played Matchup in Champions League History
Preview
VakifBank and Eczacibasi will go head to head this Saturday for the first time in a CEV Champions League Volley Final, however this is by far the most played matchup in the competition’s history.
Eighteen times these two teams have brought a classic Turkish derby to the European stage in the Champions League in the first all-Turkish Final ever. Only twice before was the Final a “national event”, with teams from the same country facing eachother, and on both occasions it was an all-Italian affair: in 2000/01 (Edison Volley MODENA vs Caposud REGGIO CALABRIA 3-0) and in 2004/05 (Volley BERGAMO vs Asystel NOVARA 3-0).
So far, VakifBank Istanbul has dominated the meetings with Eczacibasi, winning thirteen times including twelve out of the last thirteen of these matches. This season, Eczacibasi has been the stronger team in the national league, winning both matches and going all the way to the Final of the league, falling just short and succumbing to Fenerbahce Istanbul.
All eyes will be on the battle between the two star opposites, Tijana Boskovic and Paola Egonu who despite having faced eachother on the international stage before, including the CEV EuroVolley 2021 Final, will be facing each other for the first time in a Champions League Final. Their prowess on the night could turn out to be the crucial element that will swing the balance in either direction.