Türkiye enjoys years of success at international, club level in volleyball

By Emre Asikci

ISTANBUL (AA) — Turkish volleyball has enjoyed a season of historic achievement, with the national team winning their first FIVB Volleyball Women's Nations League and clubs also gaining success at the international level.

Turkish sides, including the national team, are reaping the rewards of increased investments, stable administrations, and greater priority to youth development.

The Turkish national team, the Sultans of the Net, defeated China in the final of the FIVB Volleyball Women's Nations League, with the sets 25-22, 22-25, 25-19, and 25-16 in the US city of Arlington.

Before lifting the 2023 title, Türkiye collected international silver and bronze medals in 2018 and 2021, respectively, and silver medals at the European Championship in 2003 and 2019.

This year's victory marked the most significant win for Turkish volleyball so far, being the first world-level title won by the country.

- Turkish fans enjoy success at club level

Most Turkish clubs have a lengthy and successful history, with some of the world's top clubs hailing from this country.

VakifBank, Fenerbahce, and Eczacibasi are the most successful English clubs in terms of trophies as VakifBank dominated for the past 12 years with six European titles, compared to Fenerbahce (1) and Eczacibasi (1).

Top-ranked VakifBank bagged the European titles in 2011, 2013, 2017, 2018, 2022, and 2023 while Fenerbahce won the 2012 title and Eczacibasi had the 2015 trophy.

Since 1991, Turkish sides have been crowned the Volleyball Women's Club World event seven times with three different teams and became a major country in volleyball history.

VakifBank have a total of four trophies, followed by Eczacibasi (2) and Fenerbahce (1).

In addition to these trophies, Eczacibasi won the 1999, 2018, and 2022 Women's CEV Cup trophies, a second-tier event in volleyball.

Fenerbahce and VakifBank Gunes Sigorta collected their trophies respectively in 2014 and 2004.

Also, Bursa Buyuksehir Belediyespor clinched the third-tier tournament — CEV Challenge Cup — twice in 2015 and 2017, while VakifBank Gunes Sigorta won the 2008 title and Yesilyurt claimed the 2021 trophy in their history.