Eczacibasi off to the all-Turkish #CLVolleyW final

For the first time in history of the CEV Women's Champions League it will be an all-Turkish final to conclude the season in Europe's top tier. Igor Gorgonzola Novara was the last resort for Italy to reach the Super Finals in Turin, but they had no chance in the re-match with Eczacibasi Dynavit Istanbul. The team around coach Ferhat Akbas delivered an excellent performance in the decisive semifinal clash at Burhan Felek Voleybol Salonu ISTANBUL, once their leader Tijana Boskovic played in her own league, scoring 21 points.

Eczacibasi Dynavit ISTANBUL vs Igor Gorgonzola NOVARA 3-0 (25-22, 25-12, 25-21)

As the first-leg semifinal game went into extra time in tie-break, the re-match was expected to be a nail-biting battle. But it turned out to be 80-minute Eczacibasi's show. With a ticket to the Super Finals in Turin at stake both teams started the game highly-focused, producing intense rallies. Although the team around coach Stefano Lavarini played better on blocks (3 points), they also were more keen to commit mistakes (11-7). In the decisive part of the opener, Eczacibasi led by Serbian super duo Maja Ognjenović and Tijana Bosković (7 points) proved better moving from 20-20 to 25-22.

With Irina Voronkova on the service line, Eczacibasi ran away with the score already at 8-4 and improved it further to 18-7. Boskovic played in class of her own - 8 points, including also 2 aces and 2 blocks. She and her teammates enjoyed excellent performance in all skills and dominated on the court, sealing the deal at 25-12. Thus, the team from Istanbul needed only one more set to book a spot in Super Finals.

There was no room for mistakes in the third set. Novara tried their best to keep the pace with Eczacibasi, but Bosković was a player to make a difference again. She contributed with 6 points, having solid support from Hande Baladin and Irina Voronkova who were also highly  efficient in delivering points to the hosts (4 points apiece). Completing the game 25-21, Eczacibasi became the first finalists of the CEV Champions League Volley 2023 - Women.

Tijana Boskovic was a top scorer of the match with 21 points (16 kills - 48% of success in attack, 2 blocks, 3 aces) and once again received a well-deserved MVP award.

On 20 May in Turin, Eczacibasi will have a chance to repeat their achievement from the 2014/2015 season, when they won their only up-to-date #CLVolleyW trophy. On Thursday the game between Fenerbahce and Vakifbank will determine their rival.