Haak nails 44 as VakifBank win eighth Turkey Cup

The club world champs claim third trophy this season after a thrilling 3-2 win over Fenerbahce

Published 06:30, 19 Apr 2022

VakifBank on top of the 2022 Turkey Cup podium (source: tvf.org.tr)

VakifBank on top of the 2022 Turkey Cup podium (source: tvf.org.tr)

2021 FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship MVP Isabelle Haak tallied a fantastic 44 points towards VakifBank Istanbul’s five-set victory over Fenerbahce Opet Istanbul in the women’s Turkey Cup final on Sunday.

After winning the national super cup and the club world title earlier this season, VakifBank made it three from three as they claimed the national cup in front of six thousand fans at Ankara’s Baskent hall. Coach Giovanni Guidetti’s team are still in contention for two more trophies as they have already reached the semifinal playoffs in Turkey’s Misli.com Sultanlar Ligi and the final of Europe’s CEV Champions League.

With their star Swedish opposite on fire, VakifBank came back from a set down in Sunday’s AXA Sigorta Kupa Voley final and persevered through an extended tie-breaker to celebrate with a 3-2 (21-25, 25-21, 25-13, 27-29, 17-15) victory and successfully defend the cup they won last year. It was their eighth trophy in the history of the competition. Only Eczacibasi Dynavit Istanbul, with nine trophies in their showcase, have won the Turkey Cup more times than VakifBank.

22-year-old Haak hammered as many as five aces in the final. She added a kill block to her tally and registered a 56% success rate in offence to pile up an impressive match high of 44 points and claim the Most Valuable Player recognition. Her Brazilian teammate Gabriela Guimaraes chipped in with 25 points, including three stuffs and an ace. Gabi had her way in 60% of her spike attempts.

Isabelle Haak receives the 2022 Turkey Cup MVP prize (source: tvf.org.tr)

Isabelle Haak receives the MVP prize (source: tvf.org.tr)

Melissa Vargas, a former Cuban international who recently received Turkish citizenship, was Fenerbahce’s most prolific player with 29 points to her name, followed by 18-year-old Russian prodigy Arina Fedorovtseva with 15 and Turkish star Eda Erdem with 13.

“There was a great atmosphere in Ankara. Our opponents played a great game. Of course, I would like to thank my players. We were always in the game, even though we sometimes made simple mistakes. We achieved a great victory against a very strong opponent. I congratulate my players and coaching staff who never stopped believing.” Giovanni Guidetti, head coach of VakifBank Istanbul

It was the sixth head-to-head clash between the two Istanbul powerhouses this season. They exchanged 3-1 defeats in their national league regular season. In December, VakifBank shut out Fenerbahce in a Club World Championship semifinal. Most recently, Guidetti’s squad won their Champions League semifinal series in a golden set, after winning the home match by 3-1 and losing the return in straight sets.

Their rivalry could continue in the Sultanlar Ligi final, if VakifBank overcome Turk Hava Yollari Istanbul and Fenerbahce get the better of Eczacibasi in the semifinal playoffs starting on April 22.

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