Conegliano and VakifBank Started Strong in National Playoff Finals

The domestic playoff finals have officially begun in Italy and Türkiye, and both #CLVolleyW semifinalists, Conegliano and VakifBank, kicked off their final series with decisive victories. Each team claimed a 3-1 win against their fiercest national rivals, taking the early lead in their best-of-five showdowns.

In Italy, two CEV Champions League Volley semifinalists met in the first leg of the Serie A1 final, as defending champions A. Carraro Imoco Volley Conegliano hosted Numia Vero Volley Milano. The home team started strongly, dominating the opening set. Milano responded by narrowly winning the second to level the score, but Conegliano quickly regained control. The third set was tightly contested, while the fourth saw Conegliano deliver a one-sided display to seal the match with a 3-1 victory (25-17, 24-26, 25-21, 25-13).

Isabelle Haak once again proved to be the difference-maker. The Swedish opposite tallied 27 points, including four aces, and was named the MVP of the match. Despite a remarkable 33-point performance from Paola Egonu, Milano couldn’t match Conegliano’s consistency. The next clash in the series is scheduled for Saturday, with Milano aiming to bounce back on home soil and Conegliano looking to build on their title defense.

In Türkiye, VakifBank Istanbul took on long-time rivals Fenerbahce Medicana Istanbul in a much-anticipated opener to the Sultanlar League finals. The match lived up to expectations with its high level of intensity and tight scorelines throughout. VakifBank’s ability to manage the crucial moments in each set proved decisive, as they edged out Fenerbahce in three of the four sets to secure a 3-1 win (25-22, 25-22, 21-25, 25-22).

Russian talent Marina Markova led all scorers with 26 points, supported by middle blocker Zehra Güneş, who made her presence felt at the net with seven blocks. On the losing side, Brazilian outside hitter Ana Cristina De Souza delivered a powerful performance with 16 points, including six aces, but it wasn’t enough to overturn VakifBank’s momentum. The series continues on Sunday, when Fenerbahce will hope to even the score in front of their home crowd.

With both Conegliano and VakifBank showing strong form in their respective national finals, their confidence and rhythm heading into the decisive stage of the #CLVolleyW season appear well intact.