Turkish final to decide winner at the 2023 FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship
Review
Turkish powerhouses VakifBank Istanbul and Eczacibasi Dynavit Istanbul will clash in the first all-Turkish final at the FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship, with the European country ensuring their eighth title in history.
VakifBank, the most decorated team in the history of the competition, is the only one not to drop a set so far, after sweeping their opponents in the previous three matches, with three clear 3:0 wins.
In the pool phase, the reigning champions took a 3:0 win against Vietnamese side Sport Center, 25:10, 25:15 and 25:13, doubling down and sealing the first place with another 3:0 win against Praia Clube, 25:16, 25:14 and 25:19.
Tijana Boskovic shined for Eczacibasi in the first match of the pool phase, a 3:0 win against Gerdau Minas (25:19, 25:11 and 25:18), with 17 points, and continued her excellent performances against Chinese hosts Tianjin in the second match, in another game won by the Turkish side in straight sets, 25:17, 25:23, 25:19.
There was no question about the winners of the semi-finals, as the two most decorated teams in history of the competition - VakifBank Istanbul and Eczacibasi Dynavit Istanbul – qualified with ease to the final, taking clear wins against their opponents.
Tianjin did really try to put up a fight against VakifBank in the semi-finals, but the Turkish side was too strong, taking a 3:0 win (25:16, 25:23, 25:23), as captain Gabi Guimaraes had 17 points, followed by Jordan Thompson, with 14 points.
On the other hand, Eczacibasi dropped a set in a clear win against Dentil Praia Clube, after taking the first two, 25:16 and 25:12. However, after conceding the third set, 25:27, they bounced back and sealed the 3:1 win, with Boskovic still leading the pack with 24 points.
The two Turkish sides will now meet in the final, which will see Europe claim their 13th title in 16 editions of the 2023 FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship. VakifBank have won four titles and lost two finals, while Eczacibasi won two of the three finals they played in.