VakıfBank became the champions of Vodafone Sultanlar Ligi! By defeating Fenerbahçe Medicana 3-1 in the fifth match of the play-off final series, the Yellow-Blacks won the series 3-2 to claim their 15th league title. VakıfBank General Manager Osman Arslan said: “We have won the 15th league title in our club's history in the Sultanlar Ligi, the best league in the world. After a spectacular final series, we reached the trophy and achieved another one of our goals.”
The defending champions, VakıfBank, clinched their 15th Vodafone Sultanlar Ligi title by overcoming Fenerbahçe Medicana in the final series! With a 3-1 victory in the decisive match at the VakıfBank Spor Sarayı, the Yellow-Blacks secured a 3-2 series win to lift the trophy. Remarkably, VakıfBank has now completed 9 of the last 13 seasons as league champions.
VakıfBank refused to back down
The match began as a balanced affair, with Fenerbahçe taking the first set 25-23. VakıfBank leveled the score in a grueling 39-minute second set, prevailing 29-27 by stepping up both defensively and offensively in the closing stages. In a set where six players contributed to the scoreboard, Marina Markova, Tijana Boskovic, and Derya Cebecioğlu each tallied 5 points for the Yellow-Blacks.
VakıfBank’s defense proved impenetrable in the high-stakes third set, recording 6 blocks to shut down their opponents. Following a tight 21-20 scoreline, the Yellow-Blacks went on a 4-0 run to claim the set 25-20, pulling ahead 2-1 in the match after having trailed early on. Dominating the fourth and final set 25-19, VakıfBank secured a 3-1 match victory to clinch the championship.
VakıfBank General Manager Osman Arslan spoke about the championship: “While we celebrate this milestone, we do so with a heavy heart. Our thoughts remain with the lives lost in Şanlıurfa and Kahramanmaraş.
We have won the 15th league title in our club's history in the Sultanlar Ligi, the best league in the world. After a spectacular final series, we reached the trophy and achieved another one of our goals. I sincerely congratulate our players, technical team, club employees, my managerial colleagues, who all put up a great effort for this title, and the great Vakıfbank community. I also extend my thanks to our fans who supported us in courts, in social media and on TV screens throughout the season.
We will continue to stay at the zenith of volleyball
The level Turkish women’s volleyball has reached is truly dazzling. I congratulate all the teams competing in the league, with a special mention to our esteemed rival in the final series, Fenerbahçe Medicana. I believe the quality attained by our clubs will translate to our national teams, ensuring that Turkish women’s volleyball remains at the pinnacle of the world stage.
As a club, we now have another major goal ahead of us. After a brief celebration of our championship, we will begin preparations for the CEV Champions League Final Four. We will do our absolute best to become champions once again at the finals in Istanbul, embroider the seventh star onto our jersey, and bring another European trophy to our country. I invite all our fans to continue supporting us.”
Giovanni Guidetti wins 31st trophy with VakıfBank
Giovanni Guidetti, who has served as head coach of VakıfBank since 2008, has secured his 31st trophy with the Yellow-Blacks. Following the championship, Guidetti said: “At the most important moment of the season and in the most critical match of the league, my team delivered a perfect performance. I want to thank all of them; every single one of my players performed exceptionally well. My thanks go to our technical staff and our club, VakıfBank. Our fans were incredible. VakıfBank is a great, winning team.”
Captain Zehra Güneş: “We are so lucky to have a team like this”
VakıfBank Sports Club captain Zehra Güneş stated: “We have achieved another one of our goals, and I am incredibly proud of everyone. We are so lucky to have a team like this. I am very happy and proud of my teammates. We will enjoy the joy of this trophy for a few days, but the Final Four is just ahead of us. It is one of our most important targets. We will begin working for it immediately. I hope we can represent our country in the best possible way and bring another trophy to our museum.”
Tijana Boskovic: “A very special trophy for me”
Tijana Boskovic, who celebrated her first-ever league title in the Sultanlar Ligi, stated: “I am at a loss for words. I am so happy. As you know, this is very special for me because I have been playing in Turkey for years and hadn't been able to achieve this until now. But today, as VakıfBank, we accomplished this all together. I am so grateful to the entire team, my friends, the technical staff, and everyone involved.”
VakıfBank’s Championship Seasons:
1991-1992
1992-1993
1996-1997
1997-1998
2003-2004
2004-2005
2012-2013
2013-2014
2015-2016
2017-2018
2018-2019
2020-2021
2021-2022
2024-2025
2025-2026
)
