Eczacibasi and Novara get the job done in the home matches of the #CLVolleyW Quarters
Recap
Two exciting #CLVolleyW games took place on Tuesday evening, giving the start to the Quarters phase in Europe’s top club competition - the CEV Champions League Volley 2023 | Women.
Eczacibasi Dynavit ISTANBUL and Igor Gorgonzola NOVARA seized better their chances in the home matches of this phase of the competition, and got the job done, meaning that are one step ahead in the race for the places at the semis.
Developres RZESZÓW locked horns with Eczacibasi Dynavit ISTANBUL, as fans in RCWS Podpromie sport hall could enjoy “a Serbian battle” as some of the top stars of Serbian women’s Volleyball met on the different sides of the net (Jelena Blagojevic for Developres, Tijana Boskovic and Maja Ognjenović for Eczacibasi).
In what was the first encounter ever between the two teams, the team of Istanbul prevailed over their opponents at 3-1. However, the hosts of Rzeszów were really close to bringing the match into a tiebreak. After five saved matchpoints, the Polish couldn’t find any more strength, and the Turkish could close the match, seizing the sixth matchpoint.
Statistically, Eczacibasi Dynavit Istanbul delivered a better performance on attack (65 to 55 winning spikes) and on the blocking (13 to eight kill blocks). Developres Rzeszów were slightly better at service, finishing with two aces (to zero by the winners).
Tijana Boskovic was named MVP of the game, finishing with 27 points to her name (48% exc.). Her teammate, Yasemin Güveli finished with 11 (62% exc.).
For Developres, Weronika Centka scored the most (15pts, 54% exc.).
The deciding rematch between the two teams is scheduled for March 23 in Istanbul.
Tijana Boskovic“We could have played better. Our opponents were good today, we knew that playing here would have been tough - they have great fans who create a great atmosphere. Our energy was good; we lost it for a while in the second set, but afterwards we could make it. We made some mistakes that we shouldn’t have (I am talking about myself), but hopefully in Istanbul, we will do better.”
Player of Eczacibasi Dynavit ISTANBUL
In the second match-up of the day, Allianz MTV STUTTGART and Igor Gorgonzola NOVARA delivered a great show for the fans in the sold out SCHARRena, where more than 2200 fans of #CLVolleyW enjoyed the clash between the two teams.
The Italian side could emerge victorious at 3-1 after a real fight on the court. In what resulted in being their fifth meetup in Champions League, the players of Novara kept the positive balance on their count, becoming the Tuesday’s win the fourth one against Allianza MTV STUTTGART.
The head coach of the home team, Tore Aleksandersen couldn’t lead his team in this game, as he missed the game due to illness. The German side was led by the assistant coach Faruk Feray Džanković.
Thanks to a great performance on the block, the home side could come back from a 4-point deficit and open the match in their favour (Marie Schoelzel with 4 blocks in this set).
Improving a lot on the serving, Novara came back, winning the second set, which meant the start of the “cat-and-mouse game” between the teams. The intrigue was alive up until the very last moment of the fourth set, but eventually, the Italians showed mental strength and congratulated themselves with the win.
Overall, the game was a very balanced one, with the Novara team slightly outclassing their opponents on attacking and on the kill blocks (58 to 54 winning spikes, and 14 to 10 kill blocks). Both sides recorded three aces each, and let 18 errors affect their game.
Kenia Carcaces became top scorer of the match (24pts.) and was chosen for MVP of the game. For Allianz MTV Stuttgart, Krystal Rivers finished with the highest number of points (20).
The next match is scheduled for March 22.
Maria Segura“We were fighting a lot. We lost some energy in the second set and in the last set, the mistakes impacted a lot our result. I think that the fight is still on, and that we can challenge them in Novara.”
Player of Allianz MTV Stuttgart
Caterina Bosetti"It was a very tough game for us, as Stuttgart played a great volleyball and the atmosphere in the hall was really amazing. After losing the first set, we got better and found the energies and the solutions to come back and win the game. Of course, this is a two-legs game, so we are aware that it is not over and next week in Novara we are expected to have another big clash".
Player of Igor Gorgonzola Novara