Ziraat Bank Ankara took a significant step toward European glory by defeating reigning champions Asseco Resovia Rzeszów 3:2 (25:27, 25:21, 23:25, 25:23, 19:17) in an electrifying first leg of the CEV Cup Final. The Turkish powerhouse displayed mental toughness and superior composure in the deciding moments, winning a dramatic tie-break to silence the Polish crowd.
The star of the night was Matthew Anderson, who earned MVP honors with a stellar all-around performance. He scored 28 points, boasting 55% attack efficiency, while adding 1 ace and 3 blocks. His offensive partnership with Wouter Ter Maat, who also delivered 28 points, was unstoppable and constantly pressured the Resovia defense. Trevor Clevenot added support with 10 points of his own.
Ziraat Bank’s comeback in the fourth set and clutch execution in the fifth were defining moments, showcasing their experience and grit on the European stage. The win gives them an edge ahead of the return leg on April 9 in Ankara, where they’ll look to finish the job on home soil.
Top Scorers – Ziraat Bank Ankara:
- Matt Anderson – 28 pts (MVP)
- Wouter Ter Maat – 28 pts
- Trevor Clevenot – 10 pts
Top Scorers – Asseco Resovia Rzeszów:
- Stephen Boyer – 22 pts
- Lukas Vasina – 20 pts
- Klemen Cebulj – 17 pts
- Dawid Woch – 10 pts
Ziraat now holds the upper hand and will aim to lift the CEV Cup trophy in front of their home fans.
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