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“The Sultans of the Net,” the nickname for the Turkish women´s volleyball team, thus advanced to European semifinals for only the second time. Vladimir Kuzyutkin´s Russian ladies were on the back foot for all but the first set, when they had the opportunity to take the lead with two set points. The superior defensive and passing play of Marco Aurelio Motta´s Turkish team ultimately proved fatal for Russian hopes of retaining the title.
Bahar Toksoy and Neriman Özsoy of Turkey were the standout players of the match, with Toksoy notching up five aces and Özsoy 17 kills. The Russians were heavily reliant on Ekatrina Gamova and Nataliya Goncharova, who proved unable to provide the spark needed, in what was a lackluster, predictable performance.
The two countries were evenly matched during the first set, with the Russians narrowly in front by one point at the first technical break. The Turks had reversed this to a three point lead by the second break, though the Russians came back convincingly to have the first set ball at 24-23, only for Neslihan Darnel to parry it away. Another opportunity for Kuzyutkin´s side to take the lead in sets was dashed moments later by the Turks, with Bahar going on to close the set 27-25 with an ace.
The Russians started the second set in a determined fashion, taking a three point lead by the first technical timeout, only to be foiled by Turkey´s effective block-defense system and four aces. Turkey´s captain Esra Gümüş closed the set 25-21.
Russia fell behind in the third set, only to make a brave comeback from 14-18 to 18-19. However, after Motta called a break, the Turkish women hit back with a resounding six point scoring frenzy with no Russian reply, ending the set, and match, 25-18.
Speaking after the match, Turkey head coach Marco Aurelio Motta said: “[We] don´t usually predict the outcome of the match. However, the result against Russia came by surprise. We were preparing for a win, but did not expect a 3-0. Our game was principally stable; we controlled the game in all sets. Our defense and service were brilliant. On the other hand, Russia suffered particularly in defense.”
The Turks are scheduled to face the winner of Saturday´s Poland-Serbia encounter in the semis.
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