#SuperFinalsTurin finalists start on the right foot in #CLVolleyW
The 2023 CEV Champions League Volley Women finalists - the teams of VakifBank Istanbul and Eczacibasi Dynavit Istanbul, started on the right foot in this year’s edition of Europe’s top tier. The Volleyball fans in Istanbul could enjoy two big clashes, as the back-to-back champions of VakifBank seized a 3-0 win over the French Volley Mulhouse Alsace, while the 2023 runners-up of Eczacibasi did the same but against Vasas Obuda Budapest of Hungary.
Eczacibasi Dynavit Istanbul 3-0 Vasas Obuda Budapest
It was a close call in the first set of the game as Eczacibasi struggled to find their rhythm, while on the other side of the net, the guests from Budapest, showed great motivation. However, in the deciding moments, the hosts took control and with 16 winning spikes in their pockets (to 13), opened in their favour.
A stronger performance on the serving line helped the Turkish team control the game in the second set. They finished with four aces and one more attack (11 to 10).
Getting closer to the win, the players coached by Ferhat Akbas showed their full potential in the last set, outperforming the opponent on all counts - 16 to 11 winning spikes, one to zero kill blocks and two to zero aces.
Tijana Boskovic was unstoppable with 23 points to her name (48% exc.) and grabbed the MVP award. For Vasas, Denise Bannister became the top scorer with 12 points (35% exc.)
Jovana Stevanovic“It was tough. We felt pressure in the first set. We put ourselves in this position, for no reason. But we need this kind of matches as they are important for the future, and now is the moment to use them as preparation.”
Player of Eczacibasi Dynavit Istanbul
VakifBank Istanbul 3-0 Volley Mulhouse Alsace
The reigning CLVolleyW champions of VakifBank Istanbul did their job right in their first game in Pool A.
In the first set, the players of Giovanni Guidetti seized all their chances on their rivals’ mistakes - eight to three. They were also better on blocking - two to zero, while, their opponents from Mulhouse outplayed them in attack - 16 to 14.
With as many as 17 winning spikes in the second set (to 10), VakifBank reminded the fans following the game live on EuroVolley.TV or in the stands of VakifBank Spor Sarayi how they can actually control what was happening on the court.
Not this was the case in the third set, when the inspired French tried turning the tables. With one more attack (15 to 14) and one more kill block (three to two), Volley Mulhouse Alsace were close to tying the set score. However, they let their own errors affect the game - and with 10 to their names (to seven by VakifBank), lost the set and the match.
Gabriela Guimaraes was named MVP of the game, recording 10 points. Her teammate, Alexandra Annelise Frantti became top scorer with 13 points. For the French, 11 scored Annayka Legros.
Gabriela Guimaraes“It was a really important victory. The score is 3-0 but it wasn’t an easy game. They played an amazing match, especially in our home, in front of our fans. They pushed on serve, we weren’t good in recepion, but I am proud of how the team responded during the sets. Everyone could have been MVP, everyone was doing something special. We have 14 players that can make a difference.”
MVP and player of VakifBank Istanbul