The defending #CLVolleyW champions from Igor Gorgonzola NOVARA secured their spot at the semi-finals of Europe’s elite competition as on Wednesday they outclassed at 3-1 the team of Fenerbahçe Opet ISTANBUL. For Novara, this is the second time in their history to be among the four best teams on the continent, and first time when they seize a home victory against a Turkish team in the Playoff phase.

NOVARA completely controlled the game during the first two sets, showing better play in all the components and higher level of determination. The Italians showed excellent skills on the serve and performed as a well-oiled machine, deservedly continuing ahead. Fenerbahçe, on the other hand, had some troubles during the week and could not count on their captain Eda Erdem.

• Novara started in the best way possible scoring 6 points in a row in the first minutes of the match. Impeccable on the serve, Micha Hancock made it difficult for Fenerbahce’s reception, as the players coached by Zoran Terzic seemed to be struggling with finding their game. With the set unfolding, Novara continued controlling the game with good actions by Britt Herbots. Setter Hancock also showed a smart play on the net; recording 3 points in this part.
• The defending champions from Novara showed excellent skills on the block (3) in the very first minutes of the second set. The Turkish side, however, were able to equalise and put up a fight on the court. The Italians reacted quickly, improving on the block, while Fenerbahce lost rhythm on reception.
• Taking the second set, NOVARA secured their spot in the semi-finals. Coach Stefano Lavarini gave chance to some substitute players to enter the court and feel the game. Playing for their honour, the Turkish side, led by Melissa Vargas Abreu, stormed out in the first minutes of the next set dominating on attack, and eventually emerged victorious.
• In the fourth set, however, NOVARA put the end of the discussion and outclassed Fenerbahçe for an easy 25-11. The team from Instanbul let too many unforced errors affect their game as it became clear that their #CLVolleyW journey stops here.
• Middle Blocker Cristina Chirichella was named MVP of the match, recording 7 points (50% excllence in attack), some of them in very key moments. Britt Herbots scored 11 for her team’s victory, and Nika Daalderop added 10.
• For Fenerbahce, Melissa Teresa Vargas Abres topped the charts with 17 points.

"We are so excited about this result! We did a great job today, and we are ready for the next step. It was very important to achieve the semi-finals stage. Now we ill have a little bit of rest, and will start preparing for the next phase.", Cristina Chirichella, player of Igor Gorgonzola Novara.

“We are very happy and proud for having achieved a spot in the semi-finals. We knew that we had to push a lot since the very first beginning of the match, and we did it. Now, we look forward to experience two more clashes in the next round. For sure, we will give our best trying to continue ahead.", Stefano Lavarini, Head coach of Igor Gorgonzola NOVARA.

"To be fair, we had some COVID-19 problems and we couldn't train at our best. Of course, this is not an excuse and we are sorry that we couldn't continue ahead. Life goes on, now we will put all our focus on the Turkish cup.", Naz Aydemir Akyol, Player of Fenerbahçe Opet ISTANBUL.