VakıfBank is the champion of CEV Champions League! Defeating Eczacıbaşı Dynavit 3-1 in the final in Istanbul, the yellow-blacks reached top of Europe for 7th time. VakıfBank Spor Kulübü President Osman Arslan said: “Our athletes, who never gave up the fight for every ball and every point this season and displayed an incredible commitment, reflected the VakıfBank spirit on the court from start to finish; they brought us great joy in our own country. Starting with our esteemed rival Eczacıbaşı, I congratulate all the teams that took part in the Final Four, as well as all competitors we played against throughout the season. We dedicate our championship and our 7th star to young girls.”
VakıfBank defeated Eczacıbaşı Dynavit 3-1 in the CEV Champions League final held in Istanbul, claiming their seventh European crown. This victory adds to their previous titles in 2011, 2013, 2017, 2018, 2022, and 2023, further establishing their dominance as a global volleyball powerhouse.
Having already secured the Kupa Voley and the Sultanlar Ligi earlier, VakıfBank successfully completed a domestic and continental treble, ending the season with three major trophies.
VakıfBank showcased a well-rounded offensive display in the opening set, with six different players finding the scoresheet. Their defensive presence at the net was equally formidable, accounting for four blocks. With an 8-point effort from Tijana Boskovic, the yellow-and-black side clinically closed out the first set 25-20 in just 23 minutes.
The momentum continued into the second set. While Boskovic remained the focal point of attack with 10 points, VakıfBank’s late-set defensive adjustments proved decisive. Securing the set 25-21, they established a commanding 2-0 lead.
Eczacıbaşı Dynavit showed resilience in the third set, taking it 25-21 to keep their hopes alive. However, VakıfBank regained full control in the fourth and final set, clinching it 25-18 to officially seal their seventh European championship.
VakıfBank Spor Kulübü President Osman Arslan: “We have completed a historic season”
VakıfBank Spor Kulübü President Osman Arslan said: “We are experiencing the happiness of concluding the season at the peak, in a manner worthy of VakıfBank, just as we desired. Moreover, achieving this with a Turkish final made it more meaningful and beautiful than anything else. Sharing the final with our esteemed rival Eczacıbaşı was as pride-inducing as the championship itself. We have become the greatest in Europe for the 7th time. May our championship and our 7th star be blessed. This year, we succeeded in bringing the Champions League, the Turkish League, and the Turkish Cup to our museum. We have completed a historic season in which we reached our goals.”
“We dedicate our 7th Champions League title to young girls”
“Our athletes, who never gave up the fight for every ball and every point this season and displayed an incredible commitment, reflected the VakıfBank spirit on the court from start to finish; they brought us great joy in our own country. I congratulate our champion athletes, our technical staff, and my fellow executives. I extend my gratitude to our fans who supported us in the halls and in front of their screens all around the world throughout the season. I offer the most special thanks to the VakıfBank family.
I congratulate all the teams that took part in the Final Four, starting with our esteemed rival Eczacıbaşı, as well as all the competitors we played against throughout the season. On this journey we set out on to share the dreams of young girls, we continue to be Turkey's most successful team in the international arena. On this occasion, we dedicate our 7th CEV Champions League championship to young girls.”
13th international championship
VakıfBank continues to be the pride of Turkey with its international achievements. With this CEV Champions League title, the yellow-and-black side has reached a total of 13 championships in international organizations.
VakıfBank, the most successful team in the CEV Champions League, reached the top for the 7th time following its titles in 2011, 2013, 2017, 2018, 2022, and 2023. In addition to these, the club has won 4 FIVB Club World Championships, 1 CEV Challenge Cup, and 1 CEV Top Teams Cup.
VakıfBank has increased the total number its trophies, won across domestic and international competitions, to 43. Alongside its 13 international titles, the club has secured 15 Sultanlar Ligi titles, 10 Kupa Voley (Turkish Cup) trophies, and 5 Turkish Champions Cup (Super Cup) titles, reaching a grand total of 43 trophies in 40 years.
VENUE: Ülker Sports Arena
REFEREES: Michail Koutsoulas (Yunanistan), Wojciech Glod (Polonya)
VAKIFBANK: Chiaka Ogbogu 4, Cansu Özbay 2, Marina Markova 26, Zehra Güneş 10, Tijana Boskovic 33, Derya Cebecioğlu 6, Ayça Aykaç Altıntaş (L), Helena Cazaute 1
ECZACIBAŞI DYNAVİT: Ebrar Karakurt 20, Dana Rettke 3, Magdalena Stysiak 13, Yaprak Erkek 6, Sinead Jack-Kısal 14, Elif Şahin, Simge Aköz (L), Dilay Özdemir 2, Anna Smrek 3, Emily Maglio 3, Kathryn Plummer 6
SETS: 25-20, 25-21, 21-25 25-18
SET DURATIONS: 23’, 30’, 27’, 29’
)
