Vakifbank
For the fourth time in the history, Vakifbank Istanbul won Champions League but the second in the row. Today, in the final of the Final Four tournament in the Romanian capital, Vakifbank defeated Volei Alba Blaj with 3-0 (25-17, 25-11, 25-17).
Vakifbabk opened the match with 8-1 after total domination on the net. After a technical timeout, Gozde scored ace for 9-1 and coach Darko Zakoč made the first change in the lineup. That move brought new energy to the hosts who started to play much better. But Vakifbabank went to the second TTO with 16-10 after “block-out” of Gözde Kirdar. Turkish giant played how much they need and Zhu Ting won the last two points in the set 25-17.
Turkish champions continued with good play also in the second set. They opened set with 3-0 and 6-1 when coach Zakoc asked for the timeout. Somehow the second set was in many ways a repetition of the first one but this time Vakifbank dominated even more and with the ace of Cansu Özbay, they went to a technical timeout with 16-4! Milena Rašić dominated in the block, Lonneke Slöetjes and Gozde with Zhu were perfect in the attack…. the set was finished with 25-11.
The third set Alba Blaj opened with 3-0 and they looked like they didn’t play the first two sets. After great attacks of Adina Salaoru, the Romanian team led 8-4 at the first TTO. But Lonneke didn’t allow surprise and brought her team 9-9 and then the first lead 11-10. Until the end of the match, there was only one team on the court. Vakifbank celebrated victory in the third set 25-17.
Top scorers: Zhu 15, Sloetjes 14, Gozde 12, Rasic 10; Crncevic 8, Salaoru 7, Nneka 5.
To see complete results, stats and standings, visit our CEV Champions League 2017/2018 (Female) page.
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