The season in Turkish women's volleyball started in the most dramatic way possible. In a spectacular match for the 2025 Champions Cup, played in the packed "Ankara Spor Salonu" hall, Fenerbahçe Medicana defeated Vakıfbank 3:2 in sets – 23-25, 21-25, 25-19, 25-18, 18-16, after trailing 0:2.
This is the first trophy of the new season under the leadership of former Bulgaria national team coach Marcello Abbondanza and a total of sixth in the club's history from this tournament.
What is the Champions Cup?
The tournament, known as Kadınlar AXA Sigorta Şampiyonlar Kupası, is the Turkish equivalent of the Super Cup. It pits the champion of the Sultans League against the winner of the Volley Cup from the previous season.
The trophy match is played as a single game and officially opens the new season. For Fenerbahçe Medicana, this was their second consecutive and overall sixth triumph, making the team the most successful club in the tournament's history, surpassing Vakıfbank and Eczacıbaşı, who both have five cups.
Match progression
First set (23-25):
The match started evenly, with an exchange of powerful attacks and solid defense from both sides. Towards the end of the set, Vakıfbank showed better composure in long rallies and won by a minimal margin – 25-23.
Second set (21-25):
Vakıfbank imposed control over the tempo, with effective attacks from the right wing and a solid block. Fenerbahçe fought, but couldn't maintain the rhythm and lost 21-25, giving their opponent a comfortable 2:0 lead.
Third set (25-19):
Led by Melissa Vargas, the "yellow-blues" reacted powerfully. Their serve improved, blocking worked steadily, and the team maintained a lead of several points until the end – 25-19. The match regained intrigue at 1:2.
Fourth set (25-18):
Fenerbahçe started with four consecutive points, forcing Vakıfbank to call an early timeout. After 5-5, Abbondanza's team regained control and, with excellent coordination between Orro and their attackers, closed the set 25-18, leveling the score at 2:2.
Fifth set (18-16):
The decisive tie-break offered everything – drama, a comeback, and emotions. Vakıfbank led 8-5 at the change of courts, but a service run by Aslı Kalaç brought Fenerbahçe back into the match. The finale was decided point by point, and at 17-16, it was Vargas who ended the match with a powerful attack. Fenerbahçe Medicana won the cup after an impressive comeback from 0:2 to 3:2.
Individual statistics
| Team | Player | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Fenerbahçe Medicana | Melissa Vargas | 25 |
| Fenerbahçe Medicana | Arina Fedorovtseva | 25 |
| Fenerbahçe Medicana | Agnieszka Korneluk | 11 |
| Fenerbahçe Medicana | Hande Baladın | 8 |
| VakıfBank | Tijana Bošković | 24 |
| VakıfBank | Héléna Cazaute | 20 |
| VakıfBank | Marina Markova | 17 |
| VakıfBank | Zehra Güneş | 10 |
Melissa Vargas and Arina Fedorovtseva were the two spearheads of the victory – each with 25 points. Vargas was named MVP of the match, receiving her award from Mehmet Akif Üstündağ, President of the Turkish Volleyball Federation.
The celebration began immediately after the final point. The cup was presented to the team by the President of the Turkish Federation and the CEO of AXA Sigorta, and the award was symbolically lifted by the young libero Helin Kayıkçı.
The Fenerbahçe Medicana volleyball players celebrated their triumph to the sounds of "We Are The Champions", with the stands in Ankara singing along with them.
This is also the first trophy for Olympic and world champion Alessia Orro, after her record-breaking transfer from Vero Volley Milano to the Turkish grand Fenerbahçe Medicana.
After the match, Fenerbahçe Medicana's head coach, Marcello Abbondanza, did not hide his pride in the team's performance:
"We should be proud of the girls – we showed character and spirit. We came back from 0:2 down and won thanks to the details and concentration in crucial moments. We started the season brilliantly, but there is a lot of work ahead. The league will be tough, the opponents are strong, but we will give our best. The atmosphere was incredible – the fans are part of this success. Let them continue to support us because they give us energy."
Fenerbahçe Medicana started the season perfectly – with a trophy, spirit, and confidence.
The sixth Champions' Cup confirmed the club's leadership in Turkey, and under the guidance of Marcello Abbondanza, the "Yellow Canaries" showed that they are ready to fight for everything in the new season.
Fenerbahçe didn't just win – they reminded everyone that great teams are recognized by how they react when they lose.
photos:fenerbahce.org
