Fenerbahce take the 5th 15-12 to gain the advantage against their Turkish rivals | 2017/03/23
Istanbul, Turkey, March 23, 2017. Istanbul played host to one of the Champions League thrillers, as a local derby commenced between two teams to determine which one will be at the Final Four next month. In a game with many twists and turns, it was Fenerbahce SK ISTANBUL who came out the victor beating Eczacibasi VitrA ISTANBUL 3-2 (16-25, 25-22, 25-19, 21-25, 15-12), although it should be said that in terms of total points the losing team actually won more, 103 to 102.
In a match that has been highly anticipated since the Playoff 6 Drawing of Lots, both teams started strongly exchanging points until the home teams American star Jordan Larson stepped up and helped her side to lead at the first technical time-out 8-6. After this, Fenerbahce bounced back with some important points from Natalia Zilio Pereira (11-12) before Brazil’s Thaisa Daher Pallesi’s effective serving forced Fenerbahce to take their first team time-out at 14-12. Eczacibasi VitrA continued to lead at the second technical time out 16-14 and the orange and white blocks helped the home team win the first set 25-16.
The second set started with the same energy from the both teams with Fenerbahce leading 8-7 when their Korean star Kim’s serving forced Eczacibasi to take their first team time-out trailing 8-11. This had little influence though with Fenerbahce continuing to dominate and home team coach Massimo Barbolini took their second team time out 16-10. Eczacibasi did start to mount a comeback but Fenerbahce won the second set 25-22 in the end.
Fenerbahce continued their domination in the third set and led 8-5, then 14-11, and 16-13 at the second technical time-out. Barbolini made some substitutions, but Fenerbahce remained in control and won the third set 25-19. The fourth set was similar when an early lead by the travelling team (8-6) seemed to indicate that the match may have gone away from Eczacibasi. However they rallied, led in particular by the outside hitter Jordan Larson, and they were actually ahead by the second technical time-out 16-14. Two blocks in a row then helped the home team to extend their lead with Eczacibasi crucially winning the fourth set 25-21.
With the score level at 2-2, the 3,586 spectators at the Burhan Felek Voleybol Salonu hall were confident that they could cheer their team onto a home victory. However, Fenerbahce started the fifth set the stronger and were ahead 8-6 at the change of ends. Eczacibasi fought back and made the score 8-8, although this was a good as it got for the home team. Fenerbahce won most of the crucial points at the important moments and triumphed 15-12 meaning that they have the advantage for the second match in a fortnight.
