Recently, Crickex App reports that the CEV Women’s Champions League continues this week, with Zhu Ting and her team VakifBank set to take on Poland’s runners-up, ŁKS Commercecon Łódź. One of the key matchups to watch will be Zhu Ting’s signature power spikes tested against the towering 1.99-meter middle blocker Agnieszka Kąkolewska — the top blocker of the last European Championship. While Łódź boasts strong individual talent, VakifBank is widely expected to secure their second consecutive win in the group stage.
Historically, VakifBank has been a dominant force in the Champions League, claiming the title three times. They first lifted the trophy after sweeping Rabita Baku of Azerbaijan 3-0, and repeated the feat in a rematch led by stars like Brakocevic and Gözde. Most recently, with Zhu Ting anchoring the lineup, VakifBank crushed Italy’s Conegliano 3-0 in last season’s final to clinch their third title. However, despite their status as reigning champions, VakifBank had to start this season from the qualification stage after finishing third in last year’s Turkish League following an upset in the semifinals against Galatasaray. Nonetheless, Crickex App notes that the Turkish powerhouse breezed through qualifiers and entered the last 16 with little resistance.
Drawn into Group D alongside Galatasaray, Russia’s Dynamo Moscow, and Poland’s Łódź, VakifBank began their campaign with a 3-1 victory over Galatasaray. Zhu Ting starred as the team’s offensive leader, scoring 25 points and topping all scorers. She landed 21 kills on 38 attempts with a 55% success rate, adding two more points from blocks and two from serves. With back-to-back fixtures ahead, VakifBank continues to juggle league and continental commitments. After a 3-0 sweep over Halkbank in the Turkish League last weekend, they’ve climbed to second in the standings and now prepare for a Champions League midweek battle followed by a weekend clash with Beylikdüzü.
Crickex App highlights that Łódź’s roster includes several Polish internationals, especially in the middle block. Kąkolewska, born in 1994, is known for her reach and timing — ranked first in blocks at the last EuroVolley. She has successfully shut down world-class hitters like Boskovic, Goncharova, and Kosheleva. Now, she faces perhaps her toughest challenge yet in Zhu Ting, often hailed as the world’s top outside hitter.
Comparing the squads, VakifBank has a clear edge, with foreign stars like Zhu Ting, Lonneke Slöetjes, Milena Rašić, and Kelsey Robinson. The first three are national team captains or core players, while Robinson plays a critical all-around role for VakifBank. On paper, Łódź remains the underdog — their young, hard-fighting lineup still lacks polish and high-level experience. Unless there’s a major surprise, VakifBank is on track for a second straight win in the Champions League group stage — and Crickex App will be watching closely.