In an intense and closely contested final, Eczacibasi Dynavit Istanbul claimed their third world title at the 2023 FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship in Hangzhou. Eczacibasi overcame VakifBank Spor Kulubu, also from Istanbul, in a thrilling five-set match, ending 3-2 (19-25, 25-23, 25-23, 23-25, 15-9).
The gold medal match saw Eczacibasi and VakifBank exchange leads throughout, with each set closely fought.Tijana Boskovic, scoring 25 points, Hande Baladin with 20 points, and Alexa Gray with 17 points, played crucial roles in their team’s success. Boskovic clinched the win with a strong block-out swing. For VakifBank, Jordan Thompson stood out as the most effective player and the match’s top scorer with 33 points, while Chiaka Ogbogu and Gabriela Guimaraes (Gabi) contributed 16 points each.
In the bronze medal match, hosts Tianjin Bohai Bank earned their first podium finish in the competition by defeating Brazil’s Dentil Praia Clube 3-1 (25-23, 25-20, 17-25, 25-19). Despite a strong showing by Dentil Praia in the third set, Tianjin’s consistent performance, led by key players like Yizhu Wang (20 pts) and Li Yingying(19 pts), secured their win.
Serbian star Tijana Boskovic, captain of Eczacibasi Dynavit Istanbul, was crowned MVP at the 2023 FIVB Women’s Club World Championship in Hangzhou, China.
Dream Team featured:
- Best Setter: Elif Sahin (Eczacibasi Dynavit Istanbul)
- Best Opposite: Tijana Boskovic (Eczacibasi Dynavit Istanbul)
- Best Outside Hitters: Gabriela Guimaraes (VakifBank Istanbul), Li Yingying (Tianjin Bohai Bank)
- Best Middle Blockers: Zehra Gunes (VakifBank Istanbul), Jovana Stevanovic (Eczacibasi Dynavit Istanbul)
- Best Libero: Ayca Aykac (VakifBank Istanbul)
