16/12/2018 10:00
Bošković, Larson, Kim help Eczacibasi win ‘Clash of the Titans’ with VakifBank
News from the clubs
Istanbul, Turkey, December 16, 2018. The much-anticipated derby between powerhouses Eczacibasi VitrA and VakifBank ISTANBUL ended in a 3-1 victory for the ‘Tigers’. Many expected these two teams to fight for gold last week at the FIVB Club World Championship in China but Eczacibasi lost in the semis and had to be content with the bronze medals while VakifBank secured their third global crown there.
This was already the second clash featuring VakifBank and Eczacibasi this season – and Eczacibasi triumphed again by the same score as in the Supercup (3-1). As they played before a large crowd at Burhan Felek Volleyball Hall, Eczacibasi set the tempo of the game with their superstars Tijana Bošković and Jordan Larson to win the first and second sets 25-21 and 25-13, with middle blocker Beyza Arici contributing to such landslide win in the second period.
A full house in Istanbul for the big match between Eczacibasi and VakifBank
VakifBank responded by taking the third set but Eczacibasi fought back in the fourth to seal a 3-1 victory with the help of their Korean star player Kim Yeon-Koung. Europe’s ‘Female Player of the Year’ Bošković and Larson top scored for the ‘Tigers’ with 18 and 17 points, as Büsra Kilicli registered five blocks for the winners.
After this victory, Eczacibasi lead the way in the Turkish national league and in a few days the ‘Tigers’ will resume their journey in the CEV Volleyball Champions League with the ‘Match of the Week’ vs. HÄMEENLINNA of Finland.
The players of Eczacibasi celebrate their victory in the derby with city rivals VakifBank.
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