In the quarter-finals of the CEV Trendyol 2026 Women's European Volleyball Championship, the National Women's Volleyball Team defeated Germany 3-1 and advanced to the semi-finals. National Women's Volleyball Team Head Coach Daniele Santarelli answered the questions of the press after the match.
Stating that the quarter-final matches were actually very difficult matches, Santarelli said, "We felt a little pressure. Either you lose or you will continue to have a medal chance, you will continue to play for the medal. Today, frankly, the last set changed our perspective on the match a little bit, I think we got a little nervous in the last set. We won in a higher way in the previous sets. We held Germany to 18 points in the first two sets we won. They put us in a difficult situation, they played a good match. But in the last set, as I said, we got a little nervous, "Overall it was a good match," he said.
Stating that the teams that reached the semi-finals got there deservedly, the Italian Basantenör said, "We have great respect for every team, and we also have great respect for Serbia. Italy is one of the best teams in the world right now because they won everything. Poland beat us. Serbia is a very complete team right now. I think there is no deficiency in their team. They will come here too, but I think we have a very high chance against every opponent. If we continue to play our best volleyball, if "If the fans continue to support us, we can beat anyone," he said.
Eda Erdem Dündar: 'It will be a tough match'
Making a statement to the press after the match, National Team Captain Eda Erdem Dündar said, "There was good volleyball on the field today. I think both teams competed very well. First of all, I would like to congratulate the German National Team. They played a very good volleyball. They were very resilient, especially in defense. As Turkey, we started the first set very well. We showed our game. Although our energy decreased a little in the second set, we actually started to regain our rhythm towards the end of the set. This was a good signal for the third set. With small differences at the end of the set. "We lost the set, but Turkey started stronger and more ambitious in the third set. Even though our game dropped from time to time in the fourth set, there was a team that always tried to stay positive. I congratulate my teammates and the technical team. We played a perfect team game today. We are happy, another goal has been achieved. Now it is Serbia."
"It will be a tough match because Serbia is a team that always plays here."
Speaking about Serbia, where they will meet in the semi-finals, the national volleyball player said, "Both teams know each other very well. They already have a lot of players playing in our league. It will be a tough match because Serbia is a team that always plays here. Turkey is the same now. We are sure that it will be a high-quality volleyball game that is enjoyable to watch. I hope we can put on a good volleyball field and be the side that will win the match."
"I also think I will get better match by match"
Stating that she played her first official match after about 4.5 months in the last 16 rounds, Eda Erdem Dündar said, "I feel good. I think I will get better match by match. The girls in the team also helped me a lot today. I think my resistance has increased after these long rallies today. I hope I can do better in the Serbia match and contribute to my teammates."
The experienced volleyball player stated that he came across a tournament in Istanbul for the first time in the national team he has been playing for since 2005, and said, "I have been playing in the national team since 2005. This is the first time I came across a tournament in Istanbul. It is very enjoyable to play at home. My family is here, my friends are here, our audience is already with us. It is actually a very enjoyable thing. It will be a good memory for me too. I hope it ends well."
