Shaoxing, China, December 7, 2019 – Imoco Volley Conegliano prevailed against Vakifbank Istanbul 3-2 (25-23, 20-25, 25-23, 21-25, 23-21) to secure a spot in the final of the 2019 FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship on Saturday at the Shaoxing Olympic Sports Centre.
Imoco Volley Conegliano coach Daniele Santarelli: “We did an incredible job and I am happy. This could be the best ever match of my life. It’s amazing when you are facing such a strong opponent then win 3-2.”
Vakifbank Istanbul coach Giovanni Guidetti: “I’m very proud of my players. They played an amazing match. We fought to the best of our abilities. Gunes was incredible. We are all glad that we know how to play in this kind of situation and to keep fighting in every moment.”
Vakifbank Istanbul player Gabi Guimaraes: “I feel sad. Our goal was to be in the final but unfortunately, we couldn’t make it. My teammates played well and did an amazing job, but I didn’t pass the last ball well to my teammates, which is upsetting.”
They're not there just yet though.
Getting ahead of themselves.
Pasic with the serve.
He gets it off the block.
And the first match point is saved.
Very good swing from Paganin.
Hill missed her last serve.
That one goes in.
Gabi.
It's a continuation block.
Hack for the victory.
Good up from Volos.
Paganin.
Big swing from her.
Second match point saved.
Real tension on court.
And now Vakifan call the time out.
This is exciting.
Staying calm.
And in so doing, keeping his team calm.
With the serve.
Still two opportunities for Vakifan to win.
Gets dug by Hill.
Another tough one for Paganin.
Oh, a save.
That is phenomenal.
From Paolo Paganin.
Talk about bringing out your best
when your back's to the wall.
Three match points saved.
Can't believe it.
That is incredible from Paganin.
Hill once more.
Last chance here for Vakifan.
Hack.
He's missed it.
This is unbelievable.
It was there for the taking for Vakifan.
And Canesliano have saved four match points.
Or have they?
Quite a challenge coming.
Oh, my goodness me.
What a turnaround.
Hearts are in mouths right now.
It's 14 all.
It's now the first to get two clear.
A slight advantage with Vakifan.
They've got to get this side out.
That's how things have gone.
I think as well Vakifan have used both their challenges.
They don't have one left now.
Don't point me on that.
Hill serves again.
Soraka aches.
It's only a continuation.
Gabi.
Canesliano have gone from facing four match points.
And now they've got a match point.
Surely Canesliano are not going to do this 16-14.
Are they?
They are going to break Vakifan hearts.
Are they?
Vakifan have to side it out.
Have to.
Do.
Sarah puts it down.
15 all.
Strap in everybody.
This is a roller coaster.
And we are all in the front seat.
Watching this one.
What a game.
Hack with the serve.
Canesliano siding out for match points.
What a good serve that is.
Igonu.
Down ball.
Out ball.
Match point again.
From the serving line.
You can barely watch.
That's what it must be like for the players on court.
For those of you who have been in this situation, you know exactly.
Back once again.
Now would be a good time for an ace.
It's a well-passed ball by De Janeiro.
And it's a brilliant swing from Igonu.
To level up once more.
Drama.
Excitement.
That's why we all love volleyball.
We need to hit the same times.
Seven.
It's ridiculous.
How many more chances are they going to get?
From serve.
Gabi.
That's a big clean win.
They've been few and far between.
But that's a good time to really get in there and hammer that ball down.
Without anyone getting a touch on it.
Orientations.
There'll be no opportunity for...
Ebranikov.
She'll have to stay in and pass.
She's already been in.
With this set.
It's confidence from the youngster.
And also brilliant from...
Bogdanovic to go to her in that situation.
We need to be aware of what substitutions he's had.
Who's been on and done what.
In terms of what he's done.
He can't take Zara off because Gustav's already come in.
Good serve.
Igonu with work to do.
Good.
Go the way of Ganesh Liano.
There was a moment there.
Where he could make the dig.
And maybe he was going to stay in play.
But it just seems that the guy's gone within herself.
Hasn't she?
To another place where she's just becoming a point machine.
For Ganesh Liano.
Sorakay.
To the serving line.
So he can huddle up here.
But do it once again.
Another match point.
For Bogdanovic.
No nails left.
For the fans.
And for the bench.
I don't believe it.
Bogdanovic.
Was trying to make that difficult.
To put it in the traffic.
To drop it short over.
At position two.
But now she's got to forget about that.
She's got to organize her offense.
From rotation one.
Three frontcourt attackers available.
Foley with the serve.
By Foley.
From Kizem.
That's a magnificent dig.
This is a bit tight.
Hack has to use it.
Bit of a scramble here.
Gonu.
Brilliant.
Brilliant swing from Iganu.
Ganesh Liano turning around again.
They have match points.
And what an epic bit set.
Players on court.
Keeping their focus.
Kizem in trouble.
Karakur.
Hard maturity.
From Karakur.
That was incredible.
All square again.
That's a good serve.
It's going to be free ball here.
But no it won't be.
It doesn't come over.
And it's Evra.
Who perhaps is taking this set by the scruff of the neck now.
Guinetti.
Celebrating winner.
Because that's two points in a row from Evra.
And with the ball in hand now.
She could decide the fate of this match.
She got another big serve in the locker.
She's going to go for it.
The pass from Hill.
A really good swing from Hill.
Evra almost kept that in play.
This has been...
It's a fantastic game of volleyball.
That is gone to the wire and passed it.
Gone into extra time.
Now we're into penalties.
Orkutic.
That's brilliant.
It is...
Just magnificent.
Getting lost for words here.
In how to describe the level that these players are playing at.
It's match point now for Konechniyanu.
There are going to be some tears.
Some serious tears at the end of this one.
Regardless of who wins.
Top ball in from Gabi.
From Kisev.
Gabi again.
It's a block from it.
Beaten Vakif Bank.
And the celebrations can begin.
An incredible game of volleyball comes to an end.
Vakif Bank had...
Well, what must have been ten chances to win the game.
Four in a row.
From...
Zaidat.
Well, they're going to check for a net touch.
Just in case.
One last gasp attempt here from Vakif Bank.
Zaidat is like, we won, we won!
We know we've won.
We do know we've won, but they've got to stand up just before it's a goal.
There was no net touch, was there?
What a brilliant game of volleyball.
There is no net touch.
Gabi is blocked.
Boros and Konietz Liano have put their place in the final of the Women's World Cup Championship here in Shaoxing.