Volleyball: VakifBank swept from club WC semis

By Mutlu Demirtastan

ISTANBUL (AA) - In a nail-biting match, Turkey's VakifBank on Saturday were eliminated in the 2019 Women's FIVB Volleyball Club World Championship semifinals after a 3-2 loss to Italian side Imoco Volley.

Imoco won the first set 25-23 to take the 1-0 lead in Shaoxing, China.

But VakifBank equalized the game after winning the second set, 25-20.

The Italians were victorious in the third set, 25-23, to make it 2-1 but VakifBank clung to the game in the fourth set, winning it 25-21 to take the match to a tie-breaking set.

VakifBank could have toppled Imoco Volley as the Turkish side were leading the breaking set 14-10.

But Imoco Volley bagged the final ticket, winning the tie-breaker 23-21.

Imoco will play Italy's Igor Gorgonzola or Turkish club Eczacibasi VitrA in the final.

Meanwhile, VakifBank will play a third-place match on Sunday.

* Writing by Can Erozden