TVF chief Mehmet Akif Üstündağ speaks out on Terzić

Mehmet Akif Üstündağ said Turkey’s dramatic European Championship victory left the national team with only one major achievement still to complete: an Olympic title.

Turkey’s women defeated Italy 3-2 in the final of the 2026 CEV Women’s European Championship. Italy entered the match as the reigning Olympic and world champion, but Turkey recovered through a five-set contest to secure the trophy.

“

There is no problem. We continue from where we left off. My blood pressure dropped.

Speaking to HT Spor, Üstündağ also addressed the health problem he experienced during the match. He said his blood pressure briefly dropped, but added that he had no continuing problem. He linked the moment to the intensity of the occasion, including Melissa Vargas’ emotional embrace and tears after the victory.

“

The only thing missing is the Olympics.

Üstündağ said the team’s path had included difficult periods, injuries and fluctuating performances. He highlighted the players’ response during the fourth set, when Turkey began to open a lead, saying it became clear to him that they would fight until the final point.

He said Turkey now faced no remaining qualification risk for the Olympics and should focus entirely on that goal. The team, he added, had become accustomed to reaching the latter stages of the Volleyball Nations League. Üstündağ also criticized Terzić for remarks about Vargas playing for Turkey as a naturalized player, arguing that players had contributed to Terzić’s own success when he coached Fenerbahçe.

“

I realized that these girls would not stop fighting until the last point.