VakıfBank first defeated Fenerbahçe Medicana 3-1 in the rematch of 3-0 in CEV Champions League quarterfinals and advanced to the golden set. Then, passing its opponent 15-11 in the golden set, the yellow-blacks made it to Final Four. Thus, VakıfBank eliminated Fenerbahçe in the golden set for the 3rd time and eliminated them from CEV Champions League. Marina Markova was the star of the yellow-blacks with 30 points. Kiera Van Ryk scored 22, captain Zehra Güneş, who played with 9 blocks, contributed to double-digit scores with 12, and Yuan Xinyue with 11 points. Final Four will be held in Istanbul on May 3-4.
VakıfBank advanced to Final Four in CEV Champions League by beating Fenerbahçe Medicana. After losing the first match 3-0, VakıfBank secured a 3-1 victory in the rematch, forcing a golden set. VakıfBank also won the golden set with 15-11 and became the side that advanced to the Final Four. The Final Four will be held in Istanbul on May 3-4.
VakıfBank won the 3rd consecutive elimination round in the golden set
VakıfBank managed to win the last three elimination rounds it faced with its opponent in the CEV Champions League in the golden set. VakıfBank, which advanced to the final by winning the semi-final meeting in the 2022-2023 season with 15-12 in the golden set, was the side that advanced to the final by defeating its opponent in the semi-final with 15-11 in the golden set in the 2021-2022 season. The yellow-blacks once again advanced to the Final Four in the CEV Champions League by defeating their opponent in the golden set.
Marina Markova was the top scorer on the field with 30 points for the yellow-blacks. Kiera Van Ryk scored 22 points, captain Zehra Güneş scored 12 points, and Yuan Xinyue scored 11 points, all contributing to double-digit scores. The Final Four will be held in Istanbul on May 3-4.
Fenerbahçe won the first set 25-19. VakıfBank made a difference in the second set with 5 blocks and Marina Markova scored 8 points. The yellow-blacks won the set, which was a fierce contest from start to finish, 25-23 in 29 minutes, and tied the score at 1-1. VakıfBank, which gained a 4-0 series after a 15-13 lead in the third set, never looked back. VakıfBank won the set 25-20 and took a 2-1 lead. VakıfBank, which fell behind 14-10 in the fourth set, caught its opponent at 20-20. The yellow-blacks, who played the last part of the set better, took this set 26-24 and brought the match to the golden set. VakıfBank, who won the golden set 15-11, advanced to the semi-finals.
Banu Can Schürmann: “Our belief had not diminished even a little bit”
VakıfBank General Manager Banu Can Schürmann said after the match, “Although we lost in the first match, our belief that we would advance to the next round had not diminished even a little bit. As VakıfBank, we have experienced similar situations many times before. We never gave up, and once again, we succeeded. We are proud of our team. I also congratulate Fenerbahçe for the fight they put up. I hope this journey ends with another championship for us.”
Giovanni Guidetti: “The VakıfBank spirit enabled us to win today”
VakıfBank Head Coach Giovanni Guidetti spoke as follows after the match: “First of all, I would like to congratulate Fenerbahçe and its fans. It was great to play in such an atmosphere. It is great to win here against such a great head coach and team. VakıfBank culture, this spirit, and our daily efforts made this comeback possible today. I would also like to congratulate my health team. Many players had injuries but returned. VakıfBank Club always supports me. I would also like to thank my club for this.”
Zehra Güneş: “I am very lucky to be the captain of this team”
VakıfBank captain Zehra Güneş made the following assessments after the match: “Today was a very beautiful, very enjoyable volleyball on the field. We enjoyed every point very much. Before starting the match, we knew that our team had to play 100 percent on the field at all times. Fenerbahçe is a very strong team. It was one of the favorites of the Champions League. We could only beat them like this. We managed to stop them very well at one point and we are returning home happy. We have many more matches ahead of us. We have a long way to go. I am very happy that we made it to the semi-finals. I hope it ends with a cup. I am very lucky to be the captain of such a team. I am proud of my team, my friends and our technical team.”
Marina Markova was named MVP
The most valuable player of the match was Marina Markova from VakıfBank. The Russian spiker, who was the top scorer on the field with 30 points, also stood out with 4 blocks.
In their next match, the yellow-blacks will face Beşiktaş in the Vodafone Sultans League on Sunday, March 16 at the VakıfBank Spor Sarayı.
FENERBAHÇE MEDICANA – VAKIFBANK: 1-3
VENUE: Burhan Felek Volleyball Hall
REFEREES: Agnieszka Michlic, Yavuz Akdemir
FENERBAHÇE MEDICANA: Aslı Kalaç 9, Arina Fedorovtseva 18, Ana Cristina 16, Eda Erdem Dündar 8, Melissa Vargas 24, Gizem Örge (L), Bojana Drca 2
VAKIFBANK: Kiera Van Ryk 22, Caterina Bosetti 1, Yuan Xinyue 11, Zehra Güneş 12, Marina Markova 30, Derya Cebecioğlu 4, Ayça Aykaç Altıntaş (L), Cansu Özbay 2
SETS: 25-19, 23-25, 20-25, 24-26, 11-15
SET DURATIONS: 27’, 29’, 28’, 35’, 19’
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