Turkey reaffirm #EuroLeagueM domination, Estonia with the Bronze

Gold Medal Match 

Turkey reaffirmed their Golden #EuroLeagueM domination as on Sunday they grabbed the Gold Medals, outclassing at 3-1 their opponents from Ukraine. This is the second consecutive title for the team of head coach Nedim Özbey (Turkey are the 2019 titleholders, too. The 2020 tournament was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic). 

On the last day of play in the Final Four, the Turkish players recorded their 8th win in as many matches in the 2021 edition of the CEV Volleyball European Golden League. Meeting Ukraine in the Grand Finale, Turkey started better and grabbed a rather easy two first sets, but their opponents showed great nerves in the next two sets and made it difficult for the Turks. Even though the Turkish team let some errors affect their game, they were able to eventually show better skills in the decisive moments, outclassing the opponents in all the components

It was Yiğit Gülmezoglu's strong services in the end of the fourth set that helped Turkey on the way to bringing home the gold.  The top scorer of the League Round, Adis Lagumdzja didn’t disappoint the Turkish fans, and became once again Best Scorer, this time with 23 points to his name.

CEV President Mr. Aleksandar Boricic attended the Golden #EuroLeagueM Final, and enjoyed the high class Volleyball delivered by both teams.

• Turkey took an early lead in the first set and stormed out. Lagumdzija was the best with 6 pts in this part.

• Ukraine began better in the second set, but Turkey were able to take the lead thans to Lagumdzija’s ace for the break point at 7-5. It was the better play on attack (12 winning spikes compared to 7 by Ukraine) that became crucial to taking this set.

• Ukraine showed great motivation in the beginning of the next set, opening at 8-1. Inspiring, they continued on performing better, and with 5 aces in total in this set, made it difficult for Turkey, tying the score. 

• A real fight in the fourth set witnessed the fans following the match live on EuroVolley.TV. Both teams followed each other in the score, but it was Ukraine that let some unforced errors affect their game. Vasyl Tupchii was giving his best in the decisive moments in the middle of the set, but with team efforts, Turkey claimed the trophy. 

Bronze Medal Match

Estonia finished on a positive note their participation in the 2021 CEV Volleyball European Golden League as they bring home the Bronze Medals from the competition after seizing a straight-sets victory over the hosts of the Final Four tournament, Belgium. On Sunday, the players coached by the French specialist Cedric Enard dominated on the court, and for 84 minutes recorded the win. 

To reach the third place in the Golden #EuroLeagueM, Estonia finished first in Pool A of the League Round, but lost after a five-setter to Turkey in the semi-finals. Estonia have two #EuroLeagueM titles - claimed in 2016 and in 2018, respectively.

In the Bronze Medal Match, the Estonian players were slightly better in all the components of the game, but it was the mental toughness in decisive moments that allowed them to congratulate themselves with the success. Team leader, Oliver Venno was again above all, recording 15 points to his name and finishing as Top Scorer. Ardo Kreek and Kristo Kollo also contributed, each one recording 13 and 12 points respectively, helping team Estonia to finish with 53% efficiency on the winning spikes. 

• Estonia took the lead from the very beginning of the match, showing better skills on the attack. Belgium’s Red Dragons reacted quickly, and with two blocks got closer  the score, being one point away from equalising (12-13). It was a close call afterwards, with both teams going head to head. With the result being 23-22 for Estonia, Albert Hurt on the serve made it difficult for Belgium’s reception, and with team efforts, Estonia kept calm, emerging victorious. 

• A point for a point race marked the next set, too, but Estonia showed some good skills on the block. Belgium weren’t giving up and started breathing Estonia’s necks, but Enard motivated his players, reminding them that they need to stay focus and keep their rhythm of play. It worked out, and with 3 aces and 4 blocks, Estonia got closer to the victory. 

• Same scenario of a cat-and-mouse game unfolded in the last set, too. Kristo Kollo from Estonia was performing on a high level in these moments, with Martijn Colson from Belgium trying to respond on the other side of the net. Venno took responsibility in the decisive moments, helping his team to take a 13-9 lead. Belgium tried to push on the attack, but the better Estonian performance on the block made the difference.