HANGZHOU, China – In a breathtaking display of resilience and skill, Türkiye’s Eczacibasi Dynavit Istanbul overcame a fierce challenge from their city rivals, VakifBank Spor Kulubu, to be crowned the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship 2023 champions on Sunday. The nail-biting final, held in Hangzhou, China, saw Eczacibasi emerge victorious with a 3-2 win (19-25, 25-23, 25-23, 23-25, 15-9), marking their third world title triumph after previous wins in 2015 and 2016.
This victory was particularly sweet for Eczacibasi, as they avenged their earlier 1-3 loss to Vakifbank in this year’s CEV Champions League final. The match showcased the highest level of women’s club volleyball, with both teams displaying incredible tenacity and skill.
Eczacibasi’s journey to the title was marked by dominant performances throughout the tournament. They topped Pool A with a flawless record, including straight-set victories over Brazil’s Gerdau Minas and hosts Tianjin Bohai Bank. Their semi-final clash against Brazil’s Dentil Praia Clube ended in a 3-1 victory, setting the stage for the much-anticipated final against Vakifbank.
For Vakifbank, the silver medal added another chapter to their storied history in the competition. Aiming for a record fifth world title, they had a stellar run up to the final, winning all their matches in straight sets, including victories over Dentil Praia, Vietnam’s Sports Center I, and Tianjin Bohai Bank.
The final itself was a rollercoaster of emotions, with momentum swinging between the two teams. Eczacibasi’s Tijana Boskovic, the Serbian powerhouse, led the scoring with an impressive 27 points, including 25 kills. Her performance, along with Hande Baladin’s 20 points, was pivotal in their victory. VakifBank’s American opposite, Jordan Thompson, put up a valiant fight scoring a game-high 33 points, but it wasn’t enough to secure the win.
In the bronze medal match, Tianjin Bohai Bank secured their first Club World Championship podium finish by defeating Dentil Praia Clube 3-1. The Chinese champions displayed formidable team play, with standout performances from Wang Yizhu and Li Yingying, scoring 20 and 19 points respectively.
The tournament also saw individual brilliance recognized, with players from the finalists dominating the Dream Team selections. Eczacibasi’s Boskovic was a double winner, bagging both the best opposite and Most Valuable Player awards. Her teammates Elif Sahin and Jovana Stevanovic were named best setter and best middle blocker, respectively. Vakifbank’s Gabriela Guimaraes and Tianjin’s Li Yingying shared the best outside hitter accolade, with Vakifbank’s Ayca Aykac and Zehra Gunes completing the Dream Team as best libero and best middle blocker, respectively.
The FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship 2023 will be remembered for its high level of competition, the emergence of new talents, and the thrilling finale that underscored the growing prominence and excitement surrounding women’s volleyball on the global stage.
