Turkey qualify for semis, Bulgaria relegated to classification matches

As the coaches predicted before the beginning of the tournament everything was still open in Pool II before the last day. Bulgaria, Spain and Turkey were all in position to book a ticket for the semi-finals in Poland, so one team had to be the joker and not make it. In the first match of the day Pool leaders Spain faced Bulgaria that was ranked second with one round still to go. Spain cemented their first place in the group by downing Bulgaria in straight sets (25-16, 25-23, and 25-2 to qualify for the semis as the first-ranked team of Pool II. Afterwards, Turkey cruised to a 3-1 win over Greece to be finally ranked second in the group, and this result - combined with the 3-1 win of Germany against Denmark - sends Greece home and sees Germany make it to the next phase to play the classification matches 5-8 together with Bulgaria, plus the third and fourth ranked teams of Pool I that will come to a close on Thursday. 

Much was at stake in combination with the penultimate match of the prelims in Randers. As Bulgaria had lost in straight sets to Spain, Turkey could go past the Bulgarian team in the charts and claim the last spot for the semis with a 3:0 or 3:1 win against Greece. With this motivation in their minds Turkey was unstoppable and won the match 3:1 (25-20, 25-18, 18-25, 25-22).
The teams were all even in the beginning of the first set. Turkey led 8:7 at the first technical time-out. From here the Turkish team increased their lead to 16:9 by the second. The Turks seemed much focused with good reception, strong attacks and solid blocks. Throughout the set they delivered a great performance and won it 25-20.
It was like Turkey was playing at home ground with a lot of Turkish supporters on the tribune in Skyline Arena giving great support to their team. The waterproof blocks from the tough Turks continued in the second set and gave them an 8:5 lead by the first technical time-out and 16:12 by the second. Turkey’s opposite Metin Toy put the Greek’s finger strength to the test many times during the set and the match making 11 points. Turkey won the second set 25-18.
Greece was much stronger in the third set leading 8:6 at the first technical time-out and 16:13 by the second. Behind 14:18 Turkey’s head coach Ali Kazim Hidayetoglu called a time-out trying to turn the set over in Turkey’s favor. It did not work as planned and behind 14:20 Ali Kazim Hidayetoglu called another break. No way back in this set for Turkey, Greece won it 25-18.
The intensity rose in the fourth set. Turkey took the lead 8:4 by the first technical time-out with some strong attacks. The Turkish constellation of two or more of their two meter guys Toy, Sahin, Günes, Gökgöz and Senol in the block made Greece have a hard time finding a way through and Turkey led 16:11 by the second technical time-out. Though the set got close (24:22) Turkey kept cool and won the fourth set 25-22 and the match 3-1.
With three points Turkey goes past Bulgaria in the table and claims the second and last spot for the semifinals 1-4.

Source: here

Vakıfbank wins second European crown in 3 years

Turkey’s women’s volleyball achieved glory at the most prestigious European competition for the third time in a row when Vakıfbank defeated Rabita Baku in three straight sets during the finals of the CEV Champions League Final Four, held this afternoon in Istanbul.

Vakıfbank, who has not lost a single game this season, crowned its extraordinary run by wiping out their Azeri rivals 25-17, 25-20 and 25-23.

Well done   Vakıfbank !!

source; 

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-volleyball-side-vakifbank-wins-second-european-crown-in-3-years.aspx?pageID=238&nID=42724&NewsCatID=367

And that makes Turkia 3rd successful country over all.

Some more: here