VakıfBank claimed a straight-sets away win over Eczacıbaşı Dynavit in the opening match of the Vodafone Sultanlar Ligi playoff semifinals. Marina Markova led the scoring with 22 points, while Tijana Boskovic added 16. With this victory, VakıfBank are one win away from the final; they can seal their place at the VakıfBank Spor Sarayı on April 2.
VakıfBank beat Eczacıbaşı Dynavit in straight sets in the first leg of the Vodafone Sultanlar Ligi playoff semifinals. Marina Markova scored 22 points and Tijana Boskovic added 16 for the visitors, who now hold the advantage heading into the second leg. VakıfBank will advance to the final with a win at the VakıfBank Spor Sarayı on April 2.
VakıfBank took an early 2-1 lead in the opening set and maintained their advantage throughout. Leading 20-17, the visitors went on a 4-0 run during Katarina Dangubic's service turn to pull away. With scoring contributions from seven different players, VakıfBank closed out the 27-minute set 25-18. Tijana Boskovic and Marina Markova combined for 11 points — 6 and 5 respectively — in the period.
The second set remained tight until 9-7, when VakıfBank seized momentum with another 4-0 run, fueled by Cansu Özbay's serving. Boosted by 9 points from Boskovic, they claimed the set 25-19 to double their lead. VakıfBank then raced to a 6-1 start in the third, eventually taking it 25-20 to complete the straight-sets victory and move ahead in the series.
Giovanni Guidetti: "Our attack and serving were excellent today”
Following the victory, VakıfBank head coach Giovanni Guidetti shared his thoughts: "In the playoffs, winning is all that matters. Every game is a fresh start. Today, our attack and serving were excellent. Eczacıbaşı will analyze this match thoroughly; they will make the necessary adjustments and come back a much tougher side. They are a team capable of turning a match around very quickly. They have incredibly strong middle blockers, so we must stay focused at all times."
VENUE: Eczacıbaşı Spor Salonu
REFEERES: Caner Çildir, Mehmet Gül
ECZACIBAŞI DYNAVİT: Dana Rettke 3, Magdalena Stysiak 7, Yaprak Erkek 6, Sinead Jack-Kısal 5, Elif Şahin 1, Ebrar Karakurt 16, Simge Aköz (L), Emily Maglio 3, Kathryn Boden 3
VAKIFBANK: Chiaka Ogbogu 3, Cansu Özbay 3, Marina Markova 22, Zehra Güneş 8, Tijana Boskovic 16, Derya Cebecioğlu 4, Ayça Aykaç Altıntaş (L), Helena Cazaute 3, Katarina Dangubic 1
SETS: 18-25, 19-25, 20-25
SET DURATIONS: 27’, 25’, 30’
)
