FLORENCE, ITALY – Savino Del Bene Scandicci delivered a commanding performance Tuesday, defeating Fenerbahçe Istanbul 3-0 (25-23, 31-29, 25-19) in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal matchup. The victory, played before a crowd of 2,900 at the PalaWanny in Florence, positions the Italian champions favorably as they head to Istanbul for the second leg.
Scandicci, the reigning world champions, overcame a competitive Fenerbahçe side coached by Marcello Abbondanza, considered a strong contender for the European title. The Italian team demonstrated resilience, battling back from deficits in the first set and navigating a tense, extended second set to seize control of the series. This win marks a significant step towards a potential Final Four appearance for the Tuscan squad.
The second leg, scheduled for next week at the Burhan Felek Salonu in Istanbul, will require Scandicci to win at least two sets to advance. A 3-0 or 3-1 defeat would trigger a golden set tiebreaker. While Fenerbahçe will undoubtedly fight fiercely on their home court, Scandicci’s performance Tuesday showcased their ability to compete with – and defeat – top-tier opposition.
Ekaterina Antropova spearheaded Scandicci’s attack, delivering a masterful performance with 25 points, including 6 aces, 2 blocks, and a 39% attack efficiency. Avery Skinner and Caterina Bosetti also contributed significantly, adding 10 points apiece. Camilla Weitzel added 12 points with 3 blocks, while Marta Bechis orchestrated the offense effectively.
Fenerbahçe, led by coach Abbondanza and featuring Italian setter Alessia Orro, relied heavily on the scoring prowess of Melissa Vargas (23 points) and Arina Fedorovtseva (15 points), but their efforts weren’t enough to overcome Scandicci’s balanced attack and strong defensive play.
A Detailed Glance at the Match
The first set remained closely contested until 15-15, when Antropova was blocked by Korneluk and Vargas scored with a diagonal hit, giving Fenerbahçe a 15-17 lead. Scandicci responded with a block by Bosetti on Vargas and a point from Antropova, but Fenerbahçe extended their advantage with a parallel attack from Baladin and an offensive error by Bosetti (19-21). Antropova and Weitzel leveled the score, then Mancini entered the service and scored an ace, followed by an error from Baladin (24-22). Skinner closed out the set with a well-placed attack.
The second set saw Fenerbahçe attempt to take control, leading 10-13. Scandicci responded with an ace from Bosetti, tying the score at 16-16. The set remained point-for-point until 23-23. Scandicci had two opportunities to close out the set (24-23 with a diagonal hit from Antropova and 25-24 with a drop shot from Skinner), but Vargas and Fedorovtseva successfully defended both. Fenerbahçe then earned four set-point chances, but Antropova saved three, and Korneluk served into the net. The score reached 29-29 before an ace from Antropova and an error induced by Weitzel on Erdem secured the set for Scandicci.
Scandicci started the third set strongly, taking a 6-2 lead with a diagonal hit from Bosetti, a drop shot from Weitzel, an ace from Nwakalor, and a block by Weitzel. Vargas and Baladin attempted to rally Fenerbahçe, narrowing the gap to 13-12. However, Antropova and Bosetti responded with powerful attacks, extending the lead to 18-15. A block by Weitzel on Vargas made it 19-15, and two more aces from Weitzel (23-16) effectively sealed the victory. Karasoy’s service error completed the 3-0 sweep.
This victory underscores Scandicci’s growing confidence and tactical flexibility. The team’s ability to overcome adversity, particularly in the second set, demonstrates their mental fortitude and resilience. For Fenerbahçe, the challenge now is to regroup and leverage their home-court advantage in the second leg to force a decisive golden set or secure a win that would send the tie to a tiebreaker.
The absence of starting setter Ognjenovic was notable for Scandicci, but Marta Bechis stepped up admirably, demonstrating her ability to lead the team effectively. This adaptability will be crucial as Scandicci navigates the remainder of the Champions League tournament.
Next up, Scandicci will travel to Istanbul for the second leg of the quarterfinal against Fenerbahçe. The match is expected to be a highly competitive affair, with Fenerbahçe eager to avenge their defeat on home soil. The date and time of the match are yet to be officially announced, but it is anticipated to take place next week.
