Article by Roxana Fleşeru – Published Wednesday, March 18, 2026 9:32 p.m. / Updated Wednesday, March 18, 2026 9:38 p.m.
CSO Voluntari 2005 was defeated on Wednesday, in the Multipurpose Hall in Bucharest, by Galatasaray Daikin Istanbul 3-0 (25-13, 25-10, 25-8), in the second leg of the CEV Cup semifinals. The Turkish team won with the same score at home.
CSO Voluntari missed qualifying for the CEV Cup final after a one-way game. Galatasaray dominated the return leg of the semifinals from start to finish, winning 3-0 (25-13, 25-10, 25-8), repeating the evolution of the round, where the score was also 3-0 (25-14, 25-15, 25-19).
The difference in experience between the two teams was evident throughout both matches, with the Volunteers managing just 79 points in the six sets, including just 31 in the second meeting.
Galatasaray set the tone from the start, opening with a 3-0 lead and extending it to 8-3 and 11-6. Although the Volunteers briefly cut the gap to 11-8, the visitors responded with a 5-1 run to pull within 16-9 before closing out the set smoothly 25-13 to take a 1-0 lead.
810 spectatorsthey attended, in the Multipurpose Hall in Bucharest, the return of the semifinal between CSO Voluntari and Galatasaray
The Romanian team easily took the lead at the beginning of the second set (1-0, 2-1), but Galatasaray quickly returned the score to 3-2. Maintaining an aggressive and accurate game, the Turkish team built a comfortable lead of 10-4 and later 20-7. They finished the set 25-10, securing not only a 2-0 lead, but also their ticket to the finals.
The third set started evenly, but after 4-4, Galatasaray went on a decisive run to 18-4, effectively putting the match beyond doubt. The set ended 25-8, confirming another three-set victory for the powerful Turkish team.
Alexia Căruțașu, the most valuable player on the field
Alexia Caruțașu, who plays for the Turkish national team, was named the MVP of the match, contributing 12 points. Myriam Sylla led the scorers with 15 points. In the home team, Hannah Duchesneau was the best player with 7 points.
The other finalist will be decided after the confrontation between Reale Mutua Fenera Chieri '76 and Dresdner SC. The Italian team prevailed 3-2 in Germany, in the round match.
Last year, Romania had Alba Volei Blaj, a finalist in 2019 and 2023 as well, in the last act of the CEV Cup, the second most valuable competition at European level, but the Transylvanian formation lost to the Italians from Igor Gorgonzola Novara.
