Luxembourg, March 24, 2021. Sistem9 Yesilyurt ISTANBUL are the newly crowned CEV Volleyball Challenge Cup 2021 - Women champions. By claiming a straight set victory over C.S.M. Volei Alba BLAJ at Burhan Felek Voleybol Salonu, the hosts repeated the feat from their first encounter in Romania that also ended in three sets. Sistem9 Yesilyurt ISTANBUL fully controlled the situation on the court earning an emphatic victory. Alexia Ioana Carutasu scored a match-high 19 points and earned a well-deserved MVP title as she is also the best scorer of this edition of the Challenge Cup.

Sistem9 Yesilyurt ISTANBUL (TUR) vs C.S.M. Volei Alba BLAJ (ROU) 3-0 (25-17, 25-17, 25-12)

After a quite competitve beginning of the game, Sistem9 Yesilyurt ISTANBUL were building their advantage gradually. The Romanian team couldn't find a way to stop Alexia Ioana Carutasu who scored seven times in this section of the game alone. Adding to this great reception, the hosts easily closed the first set in their favour.

Sistem9 Yesilyurt ISTANBUL were not slowing down in the second set. In their march for gold, they totally dominated on court leading 14-7. The hosts impressed in block, registering five points from this skill. However, C.S.M. Volei Alba BLAJ were not giving up, they managed to reduce the gap to two points at 15-13 as they were putting more pressure on the rivals. A time-out called by Mehmet Kamil Söz calmed the hosts' play and let them regain their rhythm to seal the victory in the CEV Volleyball Challenge Cup 2021 - Women already in the second set with Derya Cebecioglu's spike.

Keeping the momentum, the team from Istanbul earned again a significant 12-6 lead and they improved it further in impressive style leaving no illusion as to who would emerge as the winner of this match-up. The game was closed with a smart play from Burcu Yönder who passed the ball on the opponent side. Then, the celebration and dance of joy started on the court at Burhan Felek Voleybol Salonu.

- Alexia Ioana Carutasu topped the scorers chart with 19 points (including 17 kills, 1 block and 1 ace). She was followed by her teammate Derya Cebecioglu who tallied 11.
- On the other side of the court Ioana Baciu scored 9.
- Carutasu was also the best scorer of this edition of the CEV Volleyball Challenge Cup, having put 128 points to her name.
- Sistem9 Yesilyurt ISTANBUL worked perfectly in block scoring 5 and 6 points in this skill in the second and third set - the best player in this element was Jennifer Cross who had five winning blocks.

Alexia Ioana Carutasu performing one of her powerful spikes