10/09/2020 09:30
Third straight Champions Cup title for Eczacibasi VitrA!
News from the clubs
Istanbul, Turkey, September 10, 2020. Eczacibasi VitrA ISTANBUL secured on Wednesday their third straight Champions Cup triumph to break yet another record, since they now boast as many as five titles from the competition. The Tigers celebrated their first success of the 2020-2021 season following a 3-2 win over city rivals VakifBank in a match where the AXA Sigorta Champions Cup trophy – a competition previously known as the Turkish Super Cup – was at stake.
The last derby featuring the two Istanbul powerhouses had taken place in March, and since that clash, the roster of Eczacibasi VitrA has undergone many changes as they have as many as seven new players in the team.
After a close start, Tijana Boskovic blocked VakifBank for 12-8 in the first set and playing with high intensity, the Tigers easily stormed to a 25-14 win in the first set.
Despite VakifBank’s quick start to the second set, Eczacibasi responded swiftly, courtesy of Chiaka Ogbogu’s blocks. The Tigers displayed a good performance in defence, eventually doubling their lead in the match. The third set was thrilling, with VakifBank changing their line-up to secure a 25-18 win.
Jordan Thompson (#9) and Chiaka Ogbogu (#11) are among the additions to the roster of Eczacibasi for the 2020-2021 season
The young setter of Eczacibasi Elif Şahin found a good rhythm with her attackers in the fourth set. However, even Tijana Boskovic’s attacks were not enough to secure success, with VakifBank having the upper hand at 27-25.
In the tie-break, Jordan Thompson and Tijana Boskovic helped Eczacibasi lead almost from start to end to seal a 3-2 victory at 15-12. The final touch of the match belonged to Elif Şahin who blocked an attack of VakifBank.
Tijana Boskovic received the prize for the Most Valuable Player of the competition, with the President of the Turkish Volleyball Federation Mehmet Akif Üstündağ and the AXA Sigorta CEO Yavuz Ölken awarding Eczacibasi as Champions Cup winners.
Team captain and libero Simge Sebnem Aköz delivered an emotional address during the medal ceremony, dedicating Eczacibasi’s success to the health personnel and all frontline workers who have been relentlessly working since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.
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