Ankara (Turkey), 19 March 2025

2025 CEV Cup, Trentino Itas ends its journey in Ankara

The seasonal European journey of the Trentino Itas men's team stopped just a few metres away from qualifying for the Final. The European Champions this evening were unable to conquer the court of Ziraat Bank Ankara. The Turkish team deservedly won the return semifinal of the 2025 CEV Cup 3-1, thus securing the qualification for the last match of the backboard thanks to the highest number of points won in the double-match (4 to 2).
As happened in the first leg, the Gialloblù were losing 0-2, in fact the Turks were good at setting up better from the starting blocks in every fundamental, proving to be more incisive on serve and block. After a difficult first set, Michieletto and his teammates tried to recover the match, losing the second partial at the sprint and winning the third period, dominating it from start to finish. In the decisive moment of the match, however, the Ziraat has shown to have greater self-control and determination and with a wild Ter Maat (mvp and best scorer with 20 personal points), well supported by Clevenot (13) and Bülbül (14), managed to end the match before the challenge could go on until the tie break. The 19 points scored by a resolute Michieletto, with a 53% attack rate, and the positive entry of Gabi Garcia (already on the court from the end of the first set and scored 10 times, with three break-points) were not enough to secure at least a 2-2 tie that would have, at a minimum, guaranteed the golden set. In this final season’s phase, the Trentino Itas will now have to focus exclusively on the Play Off Scudetto, with the best-of-five quarter-final series with Cisterna that will begin next weekend at ilT daily Arena di Trento on a score of 1-1.

Below is the box score of the return semifinal of the 2025 CEV Cup, played tonight at the TVF Ziraat Bankkart Volleyball Hall.

Ziraat Bank Ankara-Trentino Itas 3-1
(25-17, 25-23, 17-25, 25-20)
ZIRAAT BANK: Yenipazar 2, Anderson 12, Savas 8, Ter Maat 20, Clevenot 13, Bülbül 14, Bayraktar (L); Stern 2, Sahin Hi., Günes. N.e. Sahin Ha.., Kir, Gedik. Coach Mustafa Kavaz.
TRENTINO ITAS: Kozamernik 4, Sbertoli 3, Michieletto 19, Flavio 8, Rychlicki 2, Lavia 12, Laurenzano (L); Gabi Garcia 10, Magalini, Bartha. N.e. Pesaresi, Pellacani e Acquarone. Coach Fabio Soli.
REFEREES: Balzandzic from Belgrade (Serbia) and Aghayev from Baku (Azerbaijan).
SET DURATION: 23’, 29’, 29’, 30’; total 1h and 51’.
NOTES: 3,855 spectators. Ziraat Bank: 7 blocks, 7 aces, 18 serving errors, 8 attack errors, 51% in attack, 50% (35%) in reception. Trentino Itas: 10 blocks, 4 aces, 14 serving errors, 6 attack errors, 44% in attack, 29% (8%) in reception. MVP Ter Maat.

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