Istanbul, Turkey.Savino Del Bene Scandicci delivered the big surprise in the second semi-final of the Women's Champions League Final Four, decisively defeating the host and Turkish champion Vakifbank Istanbul with3:0 (25:12, 25:19, 25:21). The victory qualified Scandicci for its first historic final in the tournament and guaranteed an all-Italian clash for the trophy against Imoco Conegliano.
Complete dominance by the Italians
Although Vakifbank played in front of its home crowd (even though the hall was not completely full), Giovanni Guidetti's team was totally outplayed. Scandicci showed a much higher class from the very beginning:
First set:The guests from Italy started with a flourish (8:4, 14:7, 20:10) and left no chances for their opponent, closing the set with a crushing 25:12. Kara Bajema played a key role with 6 points in this set.
Second set:The scenario repeated itself. Scandicci continued to dominate, mainly thanks to excellent serving (6 aces in the match against 3 for Vakifbank) and stable play in all elements. Guidetti vehemently protested against referee decisions, but this did not deconcentrate the Italian team, which took a 2:0 lead after 25:19.
Third set:The magic of Serbian setter Maja Ognjenović (6 points) and the powerful attacks of Ekaterina Antropova and Britt Herbots again gave Scandicci an early lead (6:2). Despite Marina Markova's (10 pts) attempts to bring Vakifbank back into the match, Scandicci maintained a comfortable lead (16:11, 20:15). Antropova ended the dispute with an attack for 25:21.
Statistics and heroes
The most effective player for Scandicci was opposite hitterEkaterina Antropovawith 17 points, followed byBritt Herbotswith 12 andKara Bajemawith 8. The veteran also played a great matchMaja Ognjenović(6 pts). For Vakıfbank, the only player with a double-digit score wasMarina Markova(10 pts). Scandicci had a huge advantage in attack (52% success rate against 35%) and in serving (6 aces against 3).
Italian triumph
Tomorrow's final (Sunday) will be an all-Italian affair -Imoco Conegliano vs. Savino Del Bene Scandicci. This is further proof of the strength of the Italian Serie A1, which has produced 6 teams in the final phases of the three European tournaments this season and will win its 19th Champions League title. For Scandicci's coach, Marco Gaspari, this will be his second consecutive final in the competition.
Line-ups:
Vakıfbank:Özbay, Van Ryk (4), Bosetti (4), Yuan (9), Güneş (5), Markova (10), Aykaç Altıntaş (L), Frantti (2), Çalışkan, Cebecioğlu (3). Coach: Guidetti.
Scandicci:Herbots (12), Ognjenović (6), Bajema (8), Nwakalor (4), Da Silva (6), Antropova (17), Ristori (L), Castillo (L), Kotikova, Graziani. Coach: Gaspari.
