Ankara (Turkey), 19 March 2025

2025 CEV Cup, Ziraat Bank Ankara-Trentino Itas 3-1: the match report

Summary of the match Trentino Itas took the court in front of over 4,000 spectators at the TVF Ziraat Bankkart Volleyball Hall in Ankara with a starting six that included Sbertoli as setter, Rychlicki as opposite, Michieletto and Lavia as outside hitters, Flavio and Kozamernik as middle blockers, and Laurenzano as libero. Ziraat Bank Ankara’s starting six included Yenipazar as setter, Ter Maat as opposite, Anderson and Clevenot as outside hitters, Bülbül and Savas as middle blockers, and Bayraktar as libero. A net invasion by Kozamernik gave the first sprint to the match (3-5), followed shortly by an out attack from Bülbül (6-6). The hosts had another opportunity with Clevenot (8-10) and managed to pull ahead again with an ace from Anderson against Laurenzano (15-17), forcing coach Soli to call a timeout. After the break, however, Ter Maat and two consecutive break points from Savas (counterattack and block) widened the gap in favor of the Turks (15-20), who quickly won the first set at 17-25 with Clevenot’s uninterrupted dominance. In the second set, Gabi Garcia replaced Rychlicki as opposite player for Trentino Itas, but the trend remained the same, with the hosts immediately strong at the net (2-5), particularly thanks to Bülbül. A backcourt fault after an attack from Michieletto led Soli to call another timeout, but the match didn’t recover (2-7). Trentino didn’t lose their focus and, with Michieletto contributing both in attack and serving, they managed to catch up at 10-11. Ziraat tried to break away again (11-14), but Gabi Garcia (with an ace) and Kozamernik (with a block on Clevenot) helped tie at 16 points. The two teams traded points all the way to the end, with errors in service and attack from both sides. In the closing moments, an ace from the newly entered Stern gave Ankara a 21-23 lead, which thanks to Bülbül led to the win of the second set at 23-25.
Trentino Itas has its back against the wall and tries to react after the court change (5-3 and 9-5), also taking advantage of the opponents' faulty attacks. Ziraat attempts to get back on track with Anderson (attack and ace for 13-11) and Ter Maat (13-11); the new momentum is guaranteed by Gabi Garcia with an ace and a back-row attack during the break point (17-15). After Kavaz's timeout, Michieletto takes charge (20-15), launching his team's run towards the fourth set, which arrives quickly, 25-17, because the yellow-blues work well until the end between blocks and defense.
Ziraat Bank raises its head in the fourth set (3-6), despite Savas's injury (ankle, replaced by Gunes); Trento, however, does not give up and with Kozamernik serving, recovers, also thanks to two blocks by Sbertoli on Clevenot and the winning rebuilds by Michieletto and Lavia (8-6). Bülbül guides the Turkish comeback with his serves (9-9), then the local block lifts Ankara to a +3 lead (10-13). Trento manages to stay in the game until 14-16 with Gabi Garcia, then the hosts accelerate again 18-21 and fly towards qualification for the Final, which arrives 20-25 under the blows of Clevenot and Ter Maat.

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