Luxembourg, March 3, 2021. Galatasaray HDI ISTANBUL became the second finalist of the women's CEV Volleyball Cup 2021 after defeating BEZIERS Angels in straight sets. The first semifinal match-up between these teams was a passionate five-set battle played in France, however the decisive game played on Wednesday at Burhan Felek Voleybol Salonu in Istanbul had completely different course of events. The hosts after winning a tight opener in which they were persistently catching the score had things under control in the next two sets to celebrate their progress to the final after 73 minutes of play only. The Turkish club will face Saugella Monza of Italy in the gold medal duel.

Galatasaray HDI ISTANBUL (TUR) vs BEZIERS Angels (FRA) 3-0 (25-23, 25-9, 25-21)

The game started nervously. Beziers Angels took a 3-0 lead, but that gap was quickly erased by Galatasaray HDI Istanbul. Then, the French team again jumped to a three-point-lead, but again the hosts caught up the score. And this scenario repeated itself few more times during the opener with the Angels being constantly chased by the hosts led by Olesia Rykhliuk (8 points). This situation changed in the decisive part, it was Istanbul leading 21-20 and since then staying one point ahead to use the first opportunity to win a set with Ergül Eroglu and Tatiana Kosheleva's monster block.

The hosts kept the momentum opening the second set with a 7-0 lead and improving it further. The team from Istanbul totally outclassed the rival in all elements, not letting them to even reach a two-digit number of points on the scoreboard.

After a short break, Beziers Angels found their rhythm again fighting tight with the hosts for every ball. It looked that the breakpoint came in the middle of the set when the hosts stormed to 15-9 lead, but the visiting team didn't think about giving up sparing no efforts to prolong their chances. They managed to shorten the distance to one point at 17-18. It was like a cold shower for the hosts who immediately improved their game closing the set and match 25-21 and booking a ticket to the CEV Volleyball Cup 2021 final.

Tatiana Kosheleva contributed with 18 points, including three blocks and was the best scorer of the game. On the scorers' chart she was followed by her teammate Olesia Rykhliuk (16) and two players of Beziers - Paula Yamila Nizetich and Malina Terrell who tallied 11 apiece.

Galatasaray HDI Istanbul became the second finalist of the CEV Volleyball Cup 2021