Champions League W: VakifBank down Eczacıbaşı in four sets - champions of Europe again!

Champions League W: VakifBank down Eczacıbaşı in four sets – champions of Europe again!

2 min read

20 May 2023 Ivan

In an exciting CEV Champions League SuperFinals match held in Turin, Italy, Turkey’s VakifBank triumphed over compatriots Eczacibasi Dynavit by 3-1 (27:25, 25:17, 23:25, 25:17). This marks the sixth Champions League title for the winners, absolutely one of the most dominant teams in the competition’s history.

VakifBank and Eczacibasi, two giants of Turkish volleyball, offered an amazing spectacle on Italian soil. After a balanced start, VakifBank edged ahead mid-set, showing their power with some smart blocks and forceful plays. At the critical 25-25 point, Chiaka Ogbogu made the difference with a monster block and striking the decisive point to secure the lead for her team.
The second set was dominated by VakifBank, who, excited by their first set victory, effectively controlled the game.
Ferhat Akbas’ Eczacibasi was denied to rebuild their rhythm, and by the second half, it was clear that VakifBank was on a their path towards a 2-0 lead.
However Eczacibasi, who appear in their first Champions League final since 2015, did not give up without a fight, and they reacted in the third set, seizing the lead and stoking hopes of pushing the final to a fourth set.
Yet VakifBank displayed their characteristic resilience and reply strongly with a series of great counterattacksz, but Eczacibasi managed to win the third set, largely due to two heavy mistakes by the rivals.
The fourth and decisive set was a show of VakifBank, who performed a play that overpowered Eczacibasi, resulting in another set victory and consequently, another Champions League title.

Italian superstar Paola Egonu, playing in front of her home crowd, was named MVP of the game after an impressive amount of 40 points through a remarkable 65% attack success rate.
Egonu, along with captain Gabi and middle blocker blocker Ogbogu, were decisive in this victory.
Despite a commendable performance, Eczacibasi’s Serbian superstar Tijana Boskovic will have to wait another year to lift a CEV Champions League trophy.

With this victory, VakifBank and coach Guidetti secure their sixth Champions League title, while Paola Egonu claims her third.

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🏆| 2022/23 CEV CHAMPIONS LEAGUE | SUPERFINALS @ Torino (ITA)

| Saturday | May 20, 2023

👉🏼 17.30 (Local Time) | VakifBank Istanbul (TUR) – Eczacıbaşı Dynavit (TUR) 3-1 (27:25, 25:17, 23:25, 25:17)
| PHOTOGALLERY OF THE MATCH