Hosting the 2021 CEV Champions League Volley’s Pool D, Eczacıbaşı VitrA had a 3-2 victory over Allianz MTV Stuttgart in the first day of the tournament.
Allianz MTV Stuttgart started faster than the hosting team with the help of their captain Krystal Rivers and Maria Segura Palleres. Despite that Tigers showed a good team performance Allianz MTV Stuttgart managed to keep their lead until the end (25-22).
In the second set a stronger Eczacıbaşı VitrA was on stage. Even Jordan Thompson’s attacks were not enough to grab the set as Allianz MTV Stuttgart showed some breathtaking defenses in the second set which they won by 25-21.
Tigers made a fresh start in the third set with Jordan Thompson and Hande Baladın carrying their team.
Continuing their rise in the fourth set, the Oranges and Whites gained momentum with the help of captain Tijana Boskovic’s powerful attacks. Also American middle blocker Chiaka Ogbogu’s quick attacks were remarkable as her team managed to bring the game to the decider set by a 25-21 win of the fourth set.
Saliha Şahin, young outside hitter of Eczacıbaşı VitrA, fueled her team in the fifth set which Tigers won 15-9.
Tijana Boskovic is the best scorer of the day by 25 points.
Jordan Thompson who also has an important share in today’s win by scoring 23 points has been selected the Most Valuable Player of the Match.
Post-match Interviews
Marco Motta: “Today it was important how we came back after the first two sets. After that we improved our attack in the third set and we started to control the game. We know that we are 100% now after the coronavirus cases we had suffered. But we know that we need to play this tournament match by match.”
Jordan Thompson: “I think we started off the game a little bit rough. I think we came together as a team towards the end of the match and played solid and consistent. I think it was really the key factor of us winning and pulling our first win in the Champions League. So I am just really excited to get back at it tomorrow night.”
Allianz MTV Stuttgart – Eczacıbaşı VitrA: 2-3
Venue: Istanbul – Burhan Felek Vestel Volleyball Hall
Referees: Agnieszka Michlic, Ksenija Jurkovic
Allianz MTV Stuttgart: Segura Palleres Lohuis, Rivers, Mlejnkova, Todorova, Kastner, Koskelo (L), Grozer, Grosse-Scharmann, Papafotiou.
Eczacıbaşı VitrA: Thompson, Ogbogu, Boskovic, Hande, Beyza, Elif, Simge (L), Mirkovic, Melis, Saliha, Yasemin, Fatma.
Set Results: 2-3 (25-22, 25-21, 17-25, 21-25, 9-15)
Duration: 124 minutes (27,29,26,27,15)
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