Today, Istanbul becomes the epicenter of European women's club volleyball. At the Ülker Sports Arena, four of the continent's strongest teams will battle for a spot in the Champions League final, with the Final Four once again pitting Italy and Turkey – the two leading powers in recent years – against each other.
The hosts are represented by VakifBank Istanbul and Eczacıbaşı Istanbul, while facing them are the Italian powerhouses A. Carraro Prosecco DOC Conegliano and Savino Del Bene Scandicci. What the four teams have in common is not only their class, but also the different paths that led them here – from established champions to teams with an unfulfilled mission.
Another interesting highlight of this year's Final Four is that all four teams are led by Italian coaches. Daniele Santarelli, Giovanni Guidetti, Giulio Cesare Bregoli, and Marco Gaspari will face each other in a direct clash of the Italian school. This is a rare instance of such dominance by one coaching nation at the highest club level. The most decorated among them is undoubtedly Giovanni Guidetti with six Champions League trophies and over three decades of success at the top with VakifBank. At the same time, Daniele Santarelli symbolizes the current dominance with Conegliano and their triumphs in recent editions of the tournament. Thus, in addition to a battle between teams, the tournament also becomes a kind of duel between different generations and philosophies within the Italian coaching school.

The big clash in the first semi-final pits VakifBank against Conegliano – two teams that have marked an entire era in European volleyball. The Turkish team, a six-time trophy winner, is the only undefeated team this season and reaches the Final Four for the 14th time. On the other side is the reigning champion Conegliano, chasing a historic third consecutive triumph in the tournament.
The clash between the two giants is completely balanced in terms of history – three wins for each in the Champions League, as well as several finals between them in recent years. 'We want the trophy to stay in Istanbul,' said VakifBank captain Zehra Güneş, emphasizing the hosts' ambition.
In the Conegliano camp, they are also aware of the importance of the moment. Daniele Santarelli's team went through fluctuations and injuries during the season but managed to build form at the most crucial time and arrives with confidence for the decisive phase.
The second semi-final pits Scandicci against Eczacıbaşı – a duel that carries a different kind of charge. The Italians return to the Final Four with the clear goal of rectifying last season's disappointment when they lost the final. Now they are also world club champions, but still without a Champions League title.
'We need to do something different from last year,' said coach Marco Gaspari, while captain Maja Ognjenović emphasized that the team has come to go all the way to the end.
Eczacıbaşı returns among the best for the first time since 2023 and impresses with a balanced squad and depth. The Turkish team is the only one in the tournament with three players scoring over 100 points – an indicator of their attacking variety and stability in play.
The semi-finals are today – VakifBank against Conegliano at 17:00 and Scandicci against Eczacıbaşı at 20:00. Tomorrow, the medalists of the tournament will be determined.
Italy will chase a third consecutive title and a milestone 20th in history, while Turkish clubs will seek revenge and triumph in front of their home crowd. But as often happens in the Final Four – favorites are only on paper, and everything will be decided in the details on the court.

photos: cev.eu