Turkish Dominance: Eczacıbaşı and Vakıfbank Set Stage for All-Turkish CEV Champions League Final

The landscape of European volleyball has reached a historic peak. For the first time in the 2026 season, the CEV Zeren Group Champions League will conclude with a Turkish final, as Eczacıbaşı and Vakıfbank both secured their places in the championship match following a weekend of high-stakes drama.

The road to the final was defined by resilience and nerves of steel. Eczacıbaşı survived a grueling encounter with Italy’s Savino Del Bene, while Vakıfbank orchestrated a stunning comeback against the formidable Imoco Conegliano. The result is more than just a match for a trophy; This proves a definitive statement on the current global hierarchy of women’s volleyball and the overwhelming strength of the Turkish Sultanlar Ligi.

Eczacıbaşı Survives Five-Set Thriller

Eczacıbaşı’s journey to the final was anything but simple. Facing Savino Del Bene in a semifinal that oscillated in momentum, the Turkish side was forced into a deciding fifth set to seal their victory. The match was a tactical chess game, with both sides trading blows in a contest that tested the physical and mental limits of the rosters.

The deciding set became a battle of attrition. Eczacıbaşı managed to maintain their composure under immense pressure, eventually breaking the Italian defense to secure the win. The victory ensures that the club continues its pursuit of European glory, maintaining its status as one of the most feared competitors in the CEV circuit.

Vakıfbank’s Defiant Comeback Against Imoco

While Eczacıbaşı fought through a tie-break, Vakıfbank provided the weekend’s most dramatic narrative. Facing Imoco Conegliano—a perennial powerhouse in European volleyball—Vakıfbank found themselves trailing in a match that seemed to be slipping away. However, a late-game surge turned the tide, leading to what local media described as a müthiş geri dönüş (great comeback).

The victory was rooted in a refusal to concede, a sentiment echoed by the team’s leadership. Following the match, Vakıfbank head coach Giovanni Guidetti emphasized the psychological fortitude required to overturn the deficit against an opponent of Imoco’s caliber.

“Asla vazgeçmedik. Maçın en can alıcı noktası bu oldu.” Giovanni Guidetti, Head Coach of Vakıfbank

Guidetti’s assertion that the team never gave up highlights the tactical shift and mental toughness that allowed Vakıfbank to dismantle Imoco’s lead and claim the first finalist spot of the tournament.

A Historic Milestone for Turkish Volleyball

The prospect of an all-Turkish final has sent shockwaves of excitement through the sporting community in Turkey. The CEV Champions League is the pinnacle of club volleyball in Europe, and having two domestic rivals compete for the title validates the massive investment and talent development within the Turkish league.

Mehmet Akif Üstündağ, President of the Turkish Volleyball Federation, expressed the magnitude of the achievement, noting the pride associated with such a matchup.

“Türk finalinin oynanması kadar güzel bir şey olamaz.” Mehmet Akif Üstündağ, President of the Turkish Volleyball Federation

For global followers of the sport, this matchup serves as a case study in the “Turkish Model” of volleyball—combining elite domestic talent with world-class international imports, supported by an infrastructure that prioritizes technical precision and athletic endurance.

Tactical Outlook: The Clash of Titans

When Eczacıbaşı and Vakıfbank meet in the final, the match will likely be decided by two key factors: service pressure and middle-blocker efficiency. Both teams possess some of the most aggressive servers in the world, capable of disrupting the opponent’s transition play.

Vakıfbank enters the final with the momentum of a comeback, proving they can thrive under extreme adversity. Their ability to reorganize their defense mid-match was the catalyst for their victory over Imoco. Eczacıbaşı, conversely, has shown a capacity for endurance, winning a war of nerves in a five-set match against Savino Del Bene.

For the uninitiated, a “Turkish final” in this context means that regardless of who lifts the trophy, the CEV Zeren Group Champions League title remains in Turkey. This dominance creates a unique pressure for the players, many of whom are teammates on the Turkish national team but will now be fierce rivals on the club stage.

What’s Next

The focus now shifts to the final preparations as both clubs analyze the film from their respective semifinal battles. The final will be the culmination of a season defined by intense competition and tactical evolution.

Official details regarding the final match timing and venue logistics are being finalized by the CEV (Confédération Européenne de Volleyball). Fans can expect a clash that transcends a mere club match, evolving into a showcase of the highest level of volleyball currently played globally.

Who do you think will claim the 2026 title? Let us know your predictions in the comments below.