2026 Volleyball AXA Insurance Women's Cup Volley Final: VakıfBank - Eczacıbaşı Dynavit

Ankara Spor Salonu (AA)

The final match of the 2026 AXA Insurance Women’s Cup Volleyball tournament was played on 25 March 2026 at the Ankara Sports Hall between VakıfBank and Eczacıbaşı Dynavit. VakıfBank, having advanced to the final by defeating Galatasaray Daikin in the semifinals, won the final match against Eczacıbaşı Dynavit with a set score of 3-1 to claim the championship. The 110-minute contest secured VakıfBank its 10th title in the history of the tournament, maintaining its status as the team with the most trophies in the competition’s history. This victory also marked the club’s 41st trophy, won in its 40th anniversary year.

Participants and Referee Panel

The final match, played before a fully packed audience, was officiated by the referee duo Erdal Akıncı and Burhan İlhan. Officials observing the match from the protocol tribune included Minister of Youth and Sports Dr. Osman Aşkın Bak, Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Hamza Yerlikaya, Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mansur Yavaş, President of the Turkish Volleyball Federation (TVF) Mehmet Akif Üstündağ, TVF Vice President Alper Sedat Aslandaş, and General Director of Sports Services Veli Ozan Çakır.

VakıfBank roster (AA)

Rosters and Individual Statistics

VakıfBank fielded Chiaka Ogbogu, Cansu Özbay, Marina Markova, Zehra Güneş, Tijana Boskovic, Derya Cebecioğlu and libero Ayça Aykaç Altıntaş as their starting lineup; Helena Cazaute, Deniz Uyanık and Katarina Dangubic also entered the match later. Tijana Boskovic was the top scorer for the team with 25 points, followed by Marina Markova with 24 points and Zehra Güneş with 10 points. Additional scoring contributions came from Derya Cebecioğlu (9), Cansu Özbay (5), Chiaka Ogbogu (3), Helena Cazaute (2) and Deniz Uyanık (1).

Eczacıbaşı Dynavit roster (AA)

Eczacıbaşı Dynavit started the match with Sinead Jack-Kısal, Elif Şahin, Ebrar Karakurt, Dana Rettke, Magdalena Stysiak, Yaprak Erkek and libero Simge Aköz; Dilay Özdemir, Meliha Diken, Jovana Smrek and Kathryn Boden also played. Ebrar Karakurt scored the highest for Eczacıbaşı Dynavit with 17 points. Sinead Jack-Kısal and Yaprak Erkek each recorded 13 points, while Magdalena Stysiak scored 9, Dana Rettke 8, Kathryn Boden 5, Elif Şahin 3 and Dilay Özdemir 1.

Set Progression and Match Summary

VakıfBank began the first set with strong attacks and serves from Marina Markova; Eczacıbaşı Dynavit tied the score at 4-4 thanks to points from Ebrar Karakurt’s service runs. Capitalizing on Eczacıbaşı Dynavit’s rising error rate, VakıfBank went on a six-point run during Tijana Boskovic’s service turn to lead 12-7. Although Eczacıbaşı Dynavit narrowed the gap to two points (15-13) through improved blocking and net play, VakıfBank extended their lead with another 4-0 run to reach 19-13 and won the first set 25-19 after 26 minutes.

VakıfBank-Eczacıbaşı Dynavit match (AA)

In the early stages of the second set, both teams exchanged points to reach 9-9. From that point, Eczacıbaşı Dynavit, with fewer errors in attack and defense, built a five-point lead at 19-14. Responding with points from Yaprak Erkek to VakıfBank’s scoring from Boskovic, Eczacıbaşı Dynavit entered the final phase of the set leading 22-18 and won the 28-minute set 25-21 to level the match at 1-1.

VakıfBank started the third set with a service run from Cansu Özbay to take a 5-1 lead, but Eczacıbaşı Dynavit equalized at 8-8 in the following minutes. After winning a long rally at the 17th point, VakıfBank extended their lead to 14-11 and maintained a three-point advantage (19-16) entering the final phase. In the closing stages, VakıfBank dominated defensively with five blocks and received scoring contributions from seven different players. With points from Zehra Güneş and Boskovic, they won the 28-minute set 25-20.

VakıfBank-Eczacıbaşı Dynavit match (AA)

The fourth and final set began with point exchanges, and VakıfBank took a 15-12 lead through scoring from Markova and Boskovic. Although Eczacıbaşı Dynavit tied the score at 16-16 with points from Ebrar Karakurt and Elif Şahin, VakıfBank regained control to extend their lead to 20-16. The yellow-black team maintained their advantage until the end of the set and won the 26-minute fourth set 25-20, securing the match 3-1 and claiming the championship.

Ceremony and Awards

Following the match, a trophy and medal ceremony was held at the Ankara Sports Hall. First, awards were presented to the officiating referees, followed by silver medals to Eczacıbaşı Dynavit and gold medals to VakıfBank. The championship trophy was presented to VakıfBank by Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş and Minister of Youth and Sports Dr. Osman Aşkın Bak.

Trophy ceremony (AA)

In the individual awards, VakıfBank’s outside hitter Marina Markova, who finished the final match with 24 points, one ace and three blocks, was named Most Valuable Player (MVP). The award was presented to her by TVF President Mehmet Akif Üstündağ. Additionally, AXA Insurance Cup Volleyball sustainability awards were presented: Dilay Özdemir of Eczacıbaşı Dynavit and Berka Buse Özden of VakıfBank received these honors.

Post-Match Evaluations and Statements

Following the match, administrative and technical officials and players from both teams made the following statements:

• VakıfBank Sports Club President Abdi Serdar Üstünsalih: He stated that the team reflected the VakıfBank spirit until the final point and congratulated the coaching staff and players for winning the 41st trophy in the club’s 40th year and securing their 10th Cup Volleyball title. Üstünsalih emphasized that the team built a strong roster at the start of the season and that their goals include winning both the league and the Champions League.
• VakıfBank Head Coach Giovanni Guidetti: He acknowledged Eczacıbaşı Dynavit’s strong roster and coaching staff and recalled their excellent performance in the semifinal the previous day. He noted that his own team demonstrated high discipline and courage in delivering one of their best performances of the season and expressed that he feels fortunate to coach world-class players.
• VakıfBank General Manager Banu Can Schürmann: She highlighted that the team won its first trophy of the season in front of a fully packed arena. She stated that two more objectives remain and that this success has rewarded the team’s hard work.
• Team Captain Zehra Güneş: She noted that after achieving their first season goal—qualifying for the Champions League Final Four—they have now also won the Cup Volleyball, their second objective, and thanked the club management and coaching staff.
• Tijana Boskovic: She said that high-quality volleyball was played on both sides of the court and expressed pride in her team’s fighting spirit. Boskovic added that she always enjoys playing in front of the Ankara crowd and emphasized that the team will now focus on the upcoming playoff and Champions League matches.
• Cansu Özbay: She recalled the tough battles the team faced last week against Milan and noted that defeating Eczacıbaşı Dynavit, another strong team that also reached the Champions League Final Four, demonstrated the team’s mutual trust and belief in each other.