Eczacibasi Istanbul vs Pomi Casalmaggiore FIVB. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Defending champions Eczacibasi Vitra Istanbul looked every part of a titleholder when it swept Pomi Casalmaggiore, 25-17, 25-18, 25-15, to start its journey in the FIVB Women’s Club World Championship Tuesday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Brazillian national Daher Thaisa sealed the win for the champions with a crosscourt kill against two defenders as Pomi Casalmaggiore faltered against the relentless pressure of the Turkish club.
Eczacibasi Vitra head coach Massimo Bartolini said they may have won in straight sets but he knows Pomi Casalmaggiore, the European champions, are no pushovers.
“Now we have one victory, and we now have a little bit of confidence but it’s only the beginning and we started against the champions of Europe so it was not easy,” said Bartolini.
“There are so many matches and we need to win a minimum of two and that’s the first goal, this is not an easy group.”
Grouped together with Eczacibasi Vitra and Pomi Casalamggiore are hosts PSL-F2 Logistics and South American champions Rexona-Sesc Rio.
Tijana Boskovic led Eczacibasi Vitra with 18 points but enjoyed a solid support from Thaisa who had nine points and Tatiana Kosheleva who had eight.
Samanta Fabris had seven points to lead Pomi Casalmaggiore
Eczacibasi Vitra registered 34 scoring spikes and scored on 12 blocks while Pomi Casalmaggiore managed just 25 spikes and three blocks.