Defeating VakıfBank 3-2 in in the season opener Spor Toto Champions Cup, the title-holder Eczacıbaşı VitrA makes a great start to the season.
The game was sold-out in İzmir Atatürk – Vestel Venus Sports Complex with 4600 spectators already saving their seats weeks ago for the first showdown of the season.
Once again, with the support of their great fans filling the gym with orange and white colours, Eczacıbaşı VitrA accomplish their mission in İzmir by displaying a tremendous performance at today’s derby despite spending a small amount of time as full squad.
Both teams took part at a responsible action in front of the spectators during the ceremony holding a poster made for the World Cerebral Palsy Day, October 6.
Before the Game
Eczacıbaşı VitrA has won the Super Toto Champions Cup formerly known as Champions Cup in 2010-2011, 2011-2012, and 2017-2018 seasons.
Key Moments
Tigers came on strong in the first set with their great block and defense performance. Having played her first game with the orange and white jersey, Natalia Pereira did a great job in the first set by scoring 6 points.
With setter Gamze Kılıç fueling the spikers through her clever sets and captain Yeon Koung Kim carrying her team with 4 block points, the team managed to lead 2-0 (25-21).
Despite the contributions of the youthful members of our roster Yasemin Güveli and Hande Baladın, who came in later, VakıfBank led the thrilling third set by 25-27.
In the fourth set Tijana’s powerful attacks were not enough to finish the match. So the derby which is also known as the ‘El Clasico’ of volleyball continued with a delightful final set.
The team got ‘back in track’ in the tie-break pushing more with serves. Once again, Tijana Boskovic was on the stage in the late parts of the set. With experienced middle blocker Ergül Eroğlu’s consecutive serves fueling the team after the court change, Eczacıbaşı VitrA managed to win in five sets and clinched Spor Toto Champions Cup title for two consecutive years.
Turkish Volleyball Federation President Mehmet Akif Üstündağ and Spor Toto President Bünyamin Bozgeyik presented the Champions Cup trophy to Captain Yeon Koung Kim. The Serbian star Tijana Boskovic was selected as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) continuing her successful rise after being selected MVP at the EuroVolley 2019.
Vakıfbank – Eczacıbaşı VitrA: 2-3
Venue: Atatürk Vestel Venus Sports Complex - İzmir
Referees: Yavuz Akdemir, Arzu Emiroğlu
VakıfBank: Rasic, Meliha, Ognjenovic, Ebrar, Zehra, Haak, Gizem (L), Cansu, Pınar, Gözde, Gabi.
Eczacıbaşı VitrA: Kim, Boskovic, Gamze, Yasemin, Natalia, Ergül, Simge (L), Hande, Carli, Melis.
Sets: 2-3 (14-25, 21-25, 27-25, 25-20, 11-15)
Duration: 140 minutes (23, 36, 36, 26, 19)
Go to match gallery.
