VakıfBank, the record six-time champion of the CEV Zeren Group Champions League, has once again advanced to the Final Four. The Yellow-and-Blacks secured their place in the semifinals by defeating Vero Volley Milano 3-2 at home in the second leg of the quarterfinals. VakıfBank will face Imoco Conegliano in the Final Four, which will be played in Istanbul.
VakıfBank once again booked their place in the Final Four of the CEV Zeren Group Champions League. The Yellow-and-Blacks defeated Italy’s Vero Volley Milano 3-2 at the VakıfBank Spor Sarayı, following their 3-2 away win in the first leg of the quarterfinals.
VakıfBank pulled away in the closing stages of a tightly contested opening set, making the difference with strong defense and efficient offense. After edging ahead 22-21, the Yellow-and-Blacks went on a 4-0 run to take the set 25-22 in 25 minutes, with Tijana Boskovic scoring seven points.
Vero Volley Milano responded by winning the second set 25-16. VakıfBank regained control in the third, turning a 15-14 lead into a commanding 22-15 advantage with a 7-1 run, and eventually claiming the set 25-16 with four blocks. Six players contributed directly to the scoring in that set, with Marina Markova leading the way with eight points.
Milano edged the fourth set 25-23 to force a tie-break. In the decisive set, VakıfBank secured a 15-12 win to take the match 3-2 and book their place in the Final Four.
no 3-2 at home in the second leg of the quarterfinals. VakıfBank will face Imoco Conegliano in the Final Four, which will be played in Istanbul.
Giovanni Guidetti: “We always believe”
VakıfBank’s Head Coach Giovanni Guidetti shared his thoughts following the match: “I want to thank my team because they never stop believing in every moment. We were down, but then we caught them. We were down, then we caught them again. But we always believe; we always want to write one more page in our history. We always believe in the next point, and they believe in each other and play like a team. I'm really proud of them. I just want to thank them. I want to thank the staff. You know, today was a super difficult match against probably the toughest opponent for us because we are not a team that plays super quickly, and the Milano block is amazing. So it was a very tough opponent for us, but it doesn't matter. I mean, just thanks to the spirit of this team that is always there and never gives up."
Zehra Güneş: “We’re in the Final Four, the place we love. I hope it ends with a trophy”
VakıfBank captain Zehra Güneş said, “First of all, I would like to extend our sincere thanks to all our fans who created such an atmosphere here today and supported us from home” and continued: “It was a very tough match today. Milano is a very strong team. Together with our teammates and coaching staff, we never gave up until the last point. In a closely contested match, we managed to maintain our level throughout all five sets. We are now in the place we love, the Final Four. This was the first step of our goal. I hope it ends with a trophy.”
Zehra Güneş: “We’re in the Final Four, the place we love. I hope it ends with a trophy”
VakıfBank captain Zehra Güneş said, “First of all, I would like to extend our sincere thanks to all our fans who created such an atmosphere here today and supported us from home” and continued: “It was a very tough match today. Milano is a very strong team. Together with our teammates and coaching staff, we never gave up until the last point. In a closely contested match, we managed to maintain our level throughout all five sets. We are now in the place we love, the Final Four. This was the first step of our goal. I hope it ends with a trophy.”
VENUE: VakıfBank Spor Sarayı
REFEREES: Pedro Pinto Lopes (Portugal), Sabine Witte (Germany)
VAKIFBANK: Helena Cazaute 7, Chiaka Ogbogu 12, Cansu Özbay 2, Marina Markova 23, Zehra Güneş 10, Tijana Boskovic 17, Ayça Aykaç Altıntaş (L), Katarina Dangubic 1
VERO VOLLEY MILANO: Hena Kurtagic 11, Francesca Bosio 3, Khalia Lanier 10, Anna Danesi 9, Paola Egonu 23, Rebecca Piva 13, Eleonora Fersino (L), Elena Pietrini 1, Vita Akimova 3
SETS: 25-22, 16-25, 25-16, 23-25, 15-12
SET DURATION: 25’, 24’, 24’, 29’, 19’
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