Igor Gorgonzola Novara hosted Fenerbahçe Medicana in what was billed as CEV Champions League Group B’s headline clash. Novara had history on their side, unbeaten in four previous Champions League meetings, but this time the Turkish powerhouse arrived fully loaded with Alessia Orro, Melisa Vargas, and captain Eda Erdem in the starting six.

The opening set was a thriller. Novara’s Tatiana Tolok and Lina Alsmeier fired early to energize the home crowd, but Arina Fedorovtseva answered with aces and heavy hitting. Fenerbahçe pulled ahead late, earning set points at 24–20. Novara fought back with gutsy kills, but Vargas closed it out 25–23.

The second set stayed tight until 6–6, when Fenerbahçe’s reception and blocking gave them control. Melissa Vargas and Fedorovtseva kept hammering away, while Mayu Ishikawa came off the bench to spark Novara’s rally. The hosts narrowed the gap to 22–21, but Vargas’s power proved decisive again, sealing a 25–21 win.


In the third, Fenerbahçe’s firepower was overwhelming. Vargas and Fedorovtseva combined for seven points each, pushing the visitors to a commanding lead. Novara battled through Tolok and Ishikawa, but the momentum never shifted. Ana Cristina, returning from injury, finished the match with the final spike, 25–19.

Fenerbahçe’s dominance from the service line (seven aces to Novara’s three) and their superior blocking (8–5) made the difference. Vargas was unstoppable with 20 points and MVP honors, while Fedorovtseva added 18 and Eda Erdem chipped in with four blocks. For Novara, Tolok led with 17 points, but it wasn’t enough to stop Fenerbahçe from claiming their first‑ever Champions League win over the Italians.

Photos: CEV Champions League