Ankara, Turkey, August 15, 2015 – Turkey protects non-defeated title as they dramatically battle against Bulgaria winning 3-2 on Saturday’s last match in Pool A (25-20, 25-22, 23-25, 19-25, 15-8) during the 2015 FIVB Women’s U23 World championship in Ankara, Turkey.
A tense clash took place between Turkey and Bulgaria where both teams ‘ambitious tactics brought a spectacular show. Bulgaria player Silvana Chausheva scored 16 points and Turkey player Hande Baladin 14 points.
The competition hosts enter the first set fiercely as the first technical break comes at 8-5. Turkey so far, grabbed points from Bulgaria by their service errors and shootouts. Bulgaria however later clutched behind Turkey 11-10. A bitter touch by Turkey’s setter Çağla Akın allowed Turkey to enter the second technical timeout 16-13 in front. Bulgaria took second break as soon as the score hit 20-16 with Turkey player Hande Baladin’s puncturing spike. Çağla Akin’s block gained the set point for Turkey winning the set by 25-20.
The second set displayed a great rally where Bulgaria much more impatient and daring Turkey’s defence. Bulgaria was quick to work out the cracks of Turkey’s defence when they entered the first technical timeout 8-3 in front. Turkey player Hande Baladin scored two points and Kübra Akman’s serve enabled the team to draw at 8-8 forcing Bulgaria to take a break. Turkey ahead by two points during second technical timeout 16-14. Turkey wins the second set 25-22.
Both teams entered the third set extremely tight when the scoreboard displayed 5-all and continued head on 8-8 and at 11-11 too. Bulgaria’s blocks have been effective in eliminating Turkey attacks as they entered second technical timeout leading 16-12. Bulgaria took their first timeout when Turkey rapidly recovered with great spikes from Meliha İsmailoğlu, Ceylan Arısan and Ezgi Dilik’s bringing Turkey 18-17 ahead by a point. Turkey took final timeout in a row during the last part of the set as Bulgaria benefited from reception errors of Turkey 23-21. Excellent rally by the two teams, Bulgaria wins the set by 25-23.
Bulgaria’s Silvana Chausheva and Simona Dimitrova both contribute 6 points each.
The fourth set began with Bulgaria’s excellent attacks 6-9 in an attempt to secure a chance to win the group leaders. The second technical timeout came where Bulgaria portrayed an extremely organised line-up ahead of the hosts by 16-11. The last part of the set displayed a weak defence by Turkey and a poor service by Turkey rewarded Bulgaria a set win 25-19.
The set entered a tie-break. Bulgaria player Gergana Dimitrova contributed 7 points to the team. The tie-break set started with a different Turkey where they forced Bulgaria to take an early break when they were behind by 4-1. Turkey dominated powerfully with Meliha İsmailoğlu’s sour spikes during court change 8-3. Bulgaria took their final break when Turkey captain Ezgi Dağdelenler drilled Bulgaria’s defence with piercing spikes. Turkey player Kübra Akman’s touch finished the set by 15-8.