10/03/2015 22:41
Galatasaray Daikin come back strong to edge Siberian ‘Cats’ at golden set
2015 CEV Volleyball Cup - Women
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Istanbul, Turkey, March 10, 2015. Turkey’s Galatasaray Daikin ISTANBUL claimed on Tuesday night the first spot at stake for the semis of the 2015 CEV Volleyball Cup – Women. The hosts reversed the result of the previous match-up with Omichka OMSK REGION of Russia and stormed back after losing in three sets last week in Siberia to record a 3:1 home win first (25-13, 25-27, 25-23, 25-15) and then went on to claim also the golden set that followed (15-12). In the semis coming up in late March Galatasaray Daikin will be playing Poland’s PGE Atom Trefl SOPOT that just routed twice – and always in three sets – Stiinta BACAU of Romania.
After losing in three sets last week in Russia, Galatasaray Daikin needed to record a 3:0 or 3:1 home victory in order to call for the golden set and keep alive their chances of making the semis. Even though this could look like a mission impossible against one of the top teams from the very competitive Russian national league, as coach Barbolini said afterwards, “the players fulfilled all of their duties tonight.” They comfortably claimed the first set by 25-13 before their opponents caught a good start in the second and eventually brought it home with the score of 25-27. Things got a little more complicated in the third set where both teams performed really strong but in the end – especially via their 19 blocks – the hosts could finish the game in four sets and then notched also the golden set by 15-12.
Galatasaray Daikin’s team captain Nadia Centoni (pictured) said: “We really played with our hearts tonight and it is such a joy at the end of the day! We are more than happy. I believe that tonight we really showed our character and what we are made of.”
Asli Kalac, a young middle blocker of the home team, added: “This victory is more than precious to us. We have showed that we can come back from a difficult situation. I am proud of my team.”
Click here for more info including detailed stats of the match
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