In yesterday's Women's Champions League volleyball quarterfinals, three matches were played, providing significant indications for the outcome before the return legs. However, the greatest attention was focused on the clash between Fenerbahçe and Savino Del Bene Scandicci, where the team of the Bulgarian national coach Marcelo Abbondanza will have to pursue a serious comeback against the inspired Italian squad, led by Ekaterina Antropova's powerful attack.
While Conegliano (3:0 away against Zeren Ankara) and Eczacıbaşı (3:1 against Poland's Developres Rzeszów) secured comfortable positions before the second matches, it is the return leg in Istanbul between Fenerbahçe and Scandicci that promises the greatest intrigue.
The first referee of the match was Dobromir Dobrev.
Scandicci – Fenerbahçe 3:0 (25:23, 31:29, 25:19)
Italy's Savino Del Bene Scandicci took a serious step towards the Final Four in Istanbul after a 3:0 (25:23, 31:29, 25:19) victory over Fenerbahçe Medicana in Florence.
The match was much more contested than the final score suggests, especially in the first two sets. The second set turned into a true marathon and ended 31:29, after the hosts saved several set points and capitalized on their opportunities in the decisive rallies.
The key figure in the match was Ekaterina Antropova, who scored 25 points, including 6 aces, constantly unsettling the reception of the Turkish powerhouse.
Captain Caterina Bosetti added 10 points and earned the MVP award, while middle blocker Camila Weitzel contributed another 12.
For Fenerbahçe, the top scorers were Melissa Vargas with 23 points and Arina Fedorovtseva with 15, but despite their strong attack, Marcelo Abbondanza's team missed crucial moments at the end of the first two sets.
A Look at the Return Leg
Fenerbahçe now faces a difficult task in the return leg in Istanbul. Abbondanza's team will need to win convincingly to force a golden set and stay in the fight for the Final Four.
The coach of the Bulgarian national team knows Italian volleyball very well, and his tactical decisions against Antropova's strong attack could prove decisive. If Fenerbahçe stabilizes its reception and limits Scandicci's serve, the intrigue in this quarterfinal could be fully revived.
photos and video: cev.eu
