Eczacıbaşı women claim European title

ISTANBUL

Turkish domination over the European Cups continued as Eczacıbaşı VitrA followed its four set victory last week in the first leg against Minchanka of Belarus by going one better and winning in straight sets on April 10 in Istanbul to claim the 2018 CEV Volleyball Cup title to go with its long list of accolades.

With a perfect score of 25-17, 25-17, 25-17, the Turkish side was strong across the court and its Serbian opposite hitter Tijana Boskovic ended up as top scorer and receiving the MVP award for the final.

“I am very proud of everyone today,” Eczacıbaşı player Büşra Kılıçlı said after the game.

“We are the CEV Cup Champions. Everyone gave their best. We are so happy to lift the trophy at home in front of our own fans,” she added.

Eczacıbaşı coach Marco Aurelio Motta said his players did their bests on the court.

“I am very proud of everyone. We gave our best and showed what we needed to do on the court. We are happy to win the cup at home.

We proved our level and what we are capable of. Thanks to our amazing supporters who came out today,” said the coach.

The trophy is Eczacıbaşı’s third on the European stage, following a Cup Winners Cup success in the 1998-199 season and top-tier CEV Champions League title won in 2015.

In the men’s competition of the CEV Cup, Ankara club Ziraat Bankası lost 3-2 (25-21, 26-24, 26-28, 21-25, 11-15) to Belogorie Belgorod of Russia and settled for the second place.

After a strong performance in the first leg, Belogorie traveled to Turkey for its return match against Ziraat Bankası knowing that two sets would see the team crowned winner. After a very slow start the Russian side forced its way back into the match and ultimately took the title in a tense fourth set which could have gone either way.

Konstantin Bakun of Belogorie ended up top scorer and the MVP award for the final went to Setter Ulaş Kıyak from the home team.