Luxembourg, April 10, 2018.  Turkish domination over the European Cups continued as Eczacıbaşı VitrA ISTANBUL followed their four set victory last week in the first leg against Minchanka MINSK by going one better and winning in straight sets to claim the 2018 CEV Volleyball Cup title to go with their long list of accolades.  With a perfect score of 25-17, 25-17, 25-17, the Turkish side were strong across the court and their Serbian opposite hitter Tijana Boskovic ended up as top scorer and receiving the MVP award for the Final.

Eczacıbaşı VitrA ISTANBUL (TUR) vs. Minchanka MINSK (BLR) 3-0 (25-17, 25-17, 25-17)

In the first set both teams started well with points from their attackers.  However, it was a show by Minchanka to pave the way for an 8-7 lead for the Belarus team at the first technical time-out of the opening set. However, the Turkish team got back on track with the attack points of captain Jordan Larson (9-8). Meliha İsmailoğlu’s clever tip then forced Minchanka’s coach Viktar Hancharou to stop the game once more with his side trailing 12-9. The Orange and White’s led at the second technical time out 16-11 with Tijana Boskovic's attack point. Minchanka gave everything to come back, even winning back to back points to make the score 16-21 however, Eczacıbaşı VitrA pushed on and ended the first set 25-17.

The second set started out similarly to the previous one with both teams playing at a high level. At that point American middle blocker Rachael Adams stepped in and brought a couple of points to Eczacıbaşı VitrA (6-5). Minchanka’s Hanna Hryshkevich helped the Belarus team to force Marco Aurelio Motta to take his first time out. An unforced error made the home team lead at the second technical time out by a single point. Eczacıbaşı VitrA increased the pressure and took the second set with exactly the same score as the first set.  These two sets meant that there was no way back for the travelling side and the title would go to Turkey.

Eczacıbaşı VitrA started the third set strong with Jordan Larson and Meliha Ismailoğlu scoring big points. The Orange and White’s led comfortably at the first technical time out 8-4.  From here, Eczacıbaşı VitrA started playing more confidently after securing the title and established a big lead at 16-7. The home team dominated the rest of the match and again finished the set with a scoreline of 25-17.

Quote:

"I am very proud of everyone today. We are the CEV Cup Champions. Everyone gave their best. We are so happy to lift the trophy at home in front of our own fans," Büşra Kılıçlı commented.

“I am very proud of everyone. We gave our best and showed what we needed to do on the court. We are happy to win the cup at home. We proved our level and what we are capable of. Thanks to our amazing supporters who came out today,” said Marco Aurelio Motta, head coach of Eczacibasi.

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