Turkish Women Claim European Volleyball Championship Title in Thrilling Final
Melissa Vargas Shines as Turkey Triumphs Over Serbia
In a nail-biting final showdown at the Women’s European Volleyball Championship, Turkey emerged victorious over Serbia in a five-set thriller. The fierce battle took place at the Paleis 12 in Brussels, Belgium, leaving spectators on the edge of their seats as the momentum swung back and forth before Turkey eventually triumphed 3-2.
Melissa Vargas, who delivered a remarkable performance with 41 points in the final, was rightfully named the “Most Valuable Player” of the tournament. This victory sent waves of celebration across Turkey, with tens of thousands of fans gathering in parks and squares nationwide to watch the match on big screens and taking to the streets in jubilation until the early hours of September 4.
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A Historic Victory for Turkish Women’s Volleyball
Team captain Eda Erdem expressed her elation, stating, “I am very happy to be part of the team that brought the European title to our country after the Nations League trophy on the 100th anniversary of our republic.” She also extended her gratitude to the passionate fans who filled the venue in Brussels and the millions who tuned in from home.
Erdem highlighted the overwhelming support, saying, “Turkish people have been incredibly supportive; we get love and support from everywhere. We see beautiful pictures of our supporters, in the parks, in the squares… The country is in a great mood. We have made history. I’m so happy and proud.”
Coach Daniele Santarelli, while celebrating the victory, kept his focus on the next challenge ahead—the Olympic qualifiers. He praised his team, saying, “I am proud of this team. Today, we fought not only for ourselves but also for the Turkish people. It is not easy to beat Italy and Serbia. We played the best game of the tournament. This team has achieved incredible things, and the Olympic qualifiers are next. I believe we can make it.”
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Political Congratulations and National Pride
The success of the Turkish women’s volleyball team didn’t go unnoticed by politicians, with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan congratulating the team for their remarkable achievement. He wrote, “I sincerely congratulate our National Women’s Volleyball Team, the Sultans of the Net, for becoming 2023 CEV European Champions.”
A Thrilling Match Recap
The final match lived up to its billing as a thrilling and closely contested battle. The first set saw both teams trading points and brief leads, with Turkey even holding a set point at 24-23. However, Serbia managed to save it and ultimately claimed the set with a score of 27-25.
Turkey quickly regrouped and secured the second set with a solid performance, winning 25-21. They carried this momentum into the third set, taking a 19-15 lead at one point. However, Serbia mounted a comeback and secured a 25-22 win, taking a 2-1 lead in the match.
The fourth set proved to be another intense showdown, with both teams fiercely competing. Turkey ultimately emerged victorious with a score of 25-22, leveling the match at 2-2.
The decisive fifth set witnessed Turkey holding the lead for most of the time, but it was a point-for-point battle until the very end. Turkey managed to secure a hard-fought 15-13 victory, clinching the European title and etching their names in the annals of Turkish women’s volleyball history.
This remarkable victory showcased the resilience, determination, and skill of Turkish women’s volleyball, making the entire nation proud and setting the stage for their next challenge—the Olympic qualifiers. (source)
