CEV European Championship by Defeating Serbia 3-0 in the Semifinal, Responding on the Court to Serbian Head Coach Zoran Terzic's Pre-match

The team, known as the Sultans of the Net, will face the winner of the Poland-Italy semifinal in the championship match. Before the match, Terzic argued that only native citizens should play for national teams, citing Melissa Vargas and other players as examples of Turkey pushing the rules. After the final whistle, Vargas smiled as she walked past Terzic, a moment seen as a clear symbol of Turkey's dominance on the court.

Turkish Volleyball Federation President Mehmet Akif Üstündağ strongly criticized Terzic's remarks and attitude after the 3-0 victory, reminding him that he had benefited from Turkish volleyball in the past. "You earn your bread from this country, you receive investments. You leave no one unturned to get positions in this country's national team and clubs.

But I say this because of the provocative actions and betrayal you have shown in front of this country that once embraced you: I think you should not look for work in Turkey from now on." We are very hurt; what was done was not appropriate, Üstündağ said. He also pointed out Terzic's double standards, questioning whether Tijana Boskovic is Serbian, noting her sister is still the captain of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and asking about Hena Kurtagic's origins. Üstündağ added that Terzic had tried until the last night to get Vargas to play for Serbia and had given her a passport, asking why he made such an effort if his view was that only native citizens should play.

"Such statements lead nowhere; our team gave the best answer on the court," he said. The copyright of articles, news, and photos published on belongs to Mega Ajans and Rek. Tic.

A.Ş. and cannot be reproduced without permission, even with attribution. The Turkish national team's victory was a direct response to Terzic's comments about naturalized players and Turkey, with the federation president also not holding back in his criticism.