Galatasaray through to CEV Cup final

ISTANBUL- Hürriyet Daily News

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Galatasaray’s women’s volleyball team set up a final series against Italy’s Arsizio after a victory over Tomis of Romania in the semifinal of the CEV Cup on March 18.

The Istanbul team, which lost the first leg in three sets last week, turned the odds around by claiming a home win in three sets of 25-23, 25-18, and 25-19 before clinching the victory in the golden set (15-11) to finally edge Romania’s 2004 Tomis Constanta.

The golden set was a real thriller, with Galatasaray opening with a massive 6-1 before Constanta clawed back to move up 7-6. However, the home side was helped by Selime İlyasoğlu and was finally able to go for a splendid 15-10 to advance to the final of the CEV Cup, something unique in the history of the Turkish club. The two-leg final will be held on March 27 and 31.

Meanwhile, Arkasspor, the first men’s volleyball team to advance to the European final four, lost to Trentino in three sets to be placed fourth in the CEV Champions League.

“I think it was a great experience, even though we did not win a game here,” Arkas coach Glenn Hoag said.

Zenit Kazan claimed the Champions League title with a five-set win over PGE Skra in the final.