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With no wins so far in Pool E, the players of La Croisette were determined to show their other face, and prove why they are among the best teams in Europe. However, the hosts showed a rather calm approach to the game, counting on the CLVolleyM experienced players Ronald Jimenez and Nikolay Penchev to bring the victory to Cannes. 

Salvador Hidalgo Oliveira scored two aces in the beginning of the first set, helping the team of Istanbul to take a 4-point-difference. A real Volleyball battle on the court happened in the moments after, but after a close call, the Turkish side emerged victorious, finishing with as many as 13 winning spikes (to seven by the Dragons). Yacine Louati, Eyed Mousavi and Metin Toy worked as a well-oiled machine in these moments. 

The guests then reacted quickly, looking for ways to improve. Even though Fenerbahce started again with Metin Toy in the serve, this time around, the guests, led by Ronald Jimenez found their way out from this situation. The Dragons were able to maintain the pressure on Fenerbahce, counting on Nikolay Penchev to secure the leadership position (13-8). More than 700 spectators of the Palais des Victoires were of a great support for their favourites in this set, inspiring them in deciding moments. The Dragons delivered good performance on  attack. Cannes is still ahead and Istanbul reacts again with Louati (21-17). The end of this set was a tight one,  but Dragons were able to take their first set in this year’s edition of the CLVolleyM.  

The French Champions kept on performing very well in the next set. Matijasevic’s squad pushed hard, finding a way to respond to the Turkish good performance on block.  Despite the fact that Fenerbahce were able to seize on some of their opponents’ errors and tie the score, in the last deciding moments, Cannes got closer to the victory. 

However, nothing was over for the Turkish team. Louati delivered good game in these moments, while his head coach, Daniel Castellani changed the team, using the left-handed Kaan Gurbuz. He immediately made it difficult for the hosts (5-9). The Dragons came back, using the captain, Alex Klyamar, to bring back some order into the team. Istanbul then leveled up even more, and the Cannois were suffering. Fenerbahce’s  bench made the big difference. In the deciding fifth part, Fenerbahce stormed to a 4-0 lead, and never looked back, seizing the win.