Rewind: Champions League 2009

We got PICS & FULL MATCH VIDEOS!

In case you didn’t know, Azerbaijan’s Rabita Baku will play against Turkey’s Vakifbank in the GOLD MEDAL match of the 2010-2011 Champions League.

Natalya Mammadiva, Kim Glass and Rabita Baku made history as the first team from Azerbaijan to ever reach the final match of the most prestigious club tournament in Europe. In the semis, Mammadova and Team Rabita demolished Italy’s Scavolini Pesaro without its star player, Destinee Hooker,  in 4 sets.

On the other hand, Vakifbank won an epic 5 set semifinal match against the hosting team and 2009 silver medalist, Fenerbahce Acibadem. Serbian star Jelena Nikolic was instrumental in the victory supported by Poland’s Maggie Glinka and Maja Poljak from Croatia. A heartbreaking defeat for Fenerbahce which is the home team of some of the world’s most well known players like Sokolova from Russia. Brazil’s Fofao and Kasia Skowronska of Poland.

The Gold and Bronze medal matches will be streamed live tomorrow on Laola TV.

Rewind: Champions League 2009-2010.

Last year, Fenerbahce lost to Italy’s Bergamo in another 5 set marathon. Piccinini, Del Core, Lo Bianco and Ortolani were too much to handle for the Turkish squad which heavily relied on Russian star, Ekaterina Gamova, and Crotia’s Natasa “Nati” Osmokrovic.

TO WATCH THE 2009-2010 FINAL MATCH, click THIS!

To Read the Full Match Report of the Finals, click THIS.

RC Cannes almost won its semifinal match against Fenerbahce but the pressure caught up on the hosting during crucial points especially in the 5th set: 21-23. While Bergamo had an easier semifinal match against Asystel Novara which had 3 of the world’s best players: Logan Tom (USA), Manon Flier (NED) and Maggie Kozuch (GER).

Semifinal Matches:

Click HERE to WATCH: Asystel Novara VERSUS Bergamo

Click HERE to WATCH: Fenerbahce VERSUS RC Cannes

Best Players:

Most Valuable Player: Francesca Piccinini (Volley BERGAMO)
Best Scorer: Ekaterina Gamova (Fenerbahce Acibadem ISTANBUL)
Best Spiker: Nadia Centoni (RC CANNES)
Best Server: Natasa Osmokrovic (Fenerbahce Acibadem ISTANBUL)
Best Blocker: Victoria Raava (RC Cannes)
Best Receiver: Antonella Del Core (Volley BERGAMO)
Best Libero: Enrica Merlo (Volley BERGAMO)
Best Setter: Eleonora Lo Bianco (Volley BERGAMO)

Enjoy!

(images: cev.lu)