Marcello Abbondanza and his Fenerbahçe Istanbul confirmed their status as one of the most serious favorites in the Women's Champions League after recording a decisive away victory against PGE Grot Budowlani Lódz. The Turkish giant left no doubt about their superiority and closed the match in three sets 3:0(25:8, 25:17, 26:24), thus winning their group and advancing with high ambitions.
From the very beginning, it was clear that Abbondanza's team was in "control and punish" mode. Budowlani started nervously, made a series of errors, and Fenerbahçe immediately switched to high gear.
The visiting team accumulated a devastating lead in the very first minutes, with Arina Fedorovtseva demonstrating one hundred percent efficiency in attack, and Agnieszka Korneluk being a "wall" through which the Polish team struggled to find solutions. The score was indicative – 25:8, a set that practically took Lódz out of the match psychologically.
Budowlani tried to enter the match more aggressively and even took the lead, but Fenerbahçe quickly equalized and began to dictate the pace.
The key moment came after a series of strong serves, in which Eda Erdem made the difference and allowed the Turkish team to "take off" ahead. The Poles had individual strong moments, but when Fenerbahçe sensed hesitation, they pressed mercilessly and closed the set at 25:17.
Only in the third set did the hosts show a face that resembled a Champions League team. Better solutions appeared in the game, more confidence and a more stable connection between setting and attacking, and the exchange of points finally became even.
Lódz reached 23:23, but precisely at that moment, Fenerbahçe's class became evident – without panic, with clear decisions in key rallies, the Turkish team snatched the set with 26:24 and closed the match.
The most productive and influential player for Fenerbahçe was Arina Fedorovtseva, who deservedly received the MVP award. The Russian was a factor both in finishing plays and in moments when the match became tense in the third set.
photos: cev.eu
