In an electrifying first leg of the CEV Champions League SemiFinals at the PalaVerde, A. Carraro Imoco Conegliano staged a remarkable comeback against Eczacibasi Dynavit Istanbul, clinching a thrilling 3-2 victory. Despite being overwhelmed by Eczacibasi’s aggressive play, led by star player Boskovic, and trailing 0-2, Conegliano head coach Santarelli’s strategic adjustments turned the tide in favor of the Italian team. Imoco Conegliano, driven by an outstanding performance from MVP Isabelle Haak, who scored 37 points, rallied from a deficit in the tie-break to secure an 18-16 win, keeping their hopes alive for the return match in Istanbul scheduled for March 20th.
The match began with Eczacibasi taking early leads in the first two sets, showcasing their dominance. However, Santarelli’s decision to revise the starting lineup in the third set, introducing Lanier for Robinson-Cook, proved pivotal. This move sparked a resurgence in Imoco Conegliano’s play, allowing them to close the gap and eventually push the match into a decisive fifth set. Despite falling behind early in the tie-break, Conegliano displayed resilience and determination to come back and win, supported by a passionate crowd of 5,300 fans.
This victory sets the stage for a potential fourth all-Italian final in the CEV Champions League Women this century, with both Imoco Conegliano and Allianz Vero Volley Milano achieving home wins against Turkish opponents in the semi-finals. Conegliano aims to secure their fourth final appearance in the last five years, while Eczacibasi looks to overturn the deficit in the return leg to keep their championship hopes alive.
On the other side, in match played day earlier, Allianz Vero Volley Milano moved closer to their first-ever final in the competition with a clear 3-0 win against Fenerbahce Opet Istanbul.
CEV Champions League Semifinals – Game 1
- A. Carraro Imoco Conegliano vs. Eczacibasi Dynavit Istanbul 3-2 (26-28, 20-25, 25-14, 25-22, 18-16)
A. Carraro Imoco Conegliano: Plummer 16, Robinson Cook 2, De Kruijf 7, Haak 37, Wolosz 4, Fahr 9, De Gennaro (L), Gennari, Lubian, Bardaro, Lanier 11, Squarcini, Bugg, Piani (L), Coach: Santarelli
Eczacibasi Dynavit Istanbul: Boskovic 29, Arici 7, Baladin 12, Gray 12, Åžahin 1, Stevanovic 7, Ozel (L), Sebnem Akoz (L), Aydemir Akyol, Voronkova 3, Erkek, Czyrnianska, Sahin, Coach: Akbas
