24/02/2016 20:35
Galatasaray add another win to their record, book CEV Cup semi-final spot
2016 CEV Volleyball Cup - Women
Wroclaw, Poland, February 24, 2016. Turkey’s Galatasaray ISTANBUL claimed on Wednesday night also the re-match of their clash with Poland’s Impel WROCLAW to book a spot in the semis of the 2016 CEV Volleyball Cup – Women. The Turks did so by recording yet another 3-1 victory (15-25, 25-21, 25-22, 25-17) as they had done at home two weeks ago. Their next opponent will be the winners of the clash starring Germany’s SCHWERINER SC and Romania’s champions CS Volei Alba BLAJ.
The early stages of the match easily let the fans predict that it was going to be a close fight for a spot in the semis of Europe’s second most prestigious club competition. Monika Ptak and Carolina Costagrande set the pace for Impel WROCLAW in the first set but the visitors from Istanbul edged ahead at the first technical time-out (8-7). However, an ace by Ptak initiated a positive series for the home side and with spikes and blocks that were always well placed the ‘Impelki’ claimed the first set by a landslide (25-15).
The beginning of the second set followed the same pattern except for the roles being reversed as this time around Galatasaray were those setting the pace of the game. Nadia Centoni (pictured, #13) and Charlotte Leys did very well for the visitors and after claiming an early lead, the Turks were able to hold on to it. Even though home star Katarzyna Skowronska-Dolata was replaced by team captain Joanna Kaczor who scored some important points and Andrea Kossanyiova did also perform well for WROCLAW, Impel could not change the course of the game as Galatasaray sailed through to their 25-21 set win.
The third set was a make-or-break call for Impel as another loss would have meant their elimination from the competition. The hosts fought for every ball and they even claimed a six-point lead. However, Galatasaray seemed determined to avoid the perspective of a golden set and a 25-22 win ultimately secured their progression to the semis.
The fourth set was kind of meaningless and both teams made many changes to their usual starting six. In the end, Galatasaray finished the set and match off at 25-17 with a spike by their rising star Asli Kalac.
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