The Daughters of the Sea Edge Üsküdar in a Breathtaking Match: the Push for the Top Goes On
Week 4 of the play-off stage of the THF 2025-2026 Women's Super League produced a magnificent handball occasion in Bodrum. In a crucial meeting between two strong sides chasing leaders Bursa Büyükşehir Belediyespor, Armada Praxis Yalıkavakspor beat Üsküdar Belediyesi Spor Kulübü 27-25 in front of their own crowd.
With this golden victory, the “Daughters of the Sea” proved their title credentials once again.
A Fiercely Contested Game
The match, which began at 17.00 at Bodrum Binnaz Karakaya Sports Hall and was refereed by Gökhan Keskin and Orhan Keskin, played out like a tactical battle. With both sides starting quickly and eagerly, the tempo never dropped.
The gap between the two teams reached a maximum of three points throughout, and the spectators had the chance to watch a genuine, high-intensity derby. Holding control of the game in the first half with effective attacking organisation and solid defending, Yalıkavakspor went into the dressing room 16-13 ahead.
In the second half, despite Üsküdar Belediyesi's efforts to get back into the game and Fanta Diagouraga's scoring (9 goals), Yalıkavakspor refused to give in and, with Ceylan Aydemir (8 goals) and Gülcan Tügel (7 goals) stepping up at the critical moments, came away 27-25 winners.
Strong Interest in the Guests' Stand
Among those following this crucial play-off match from the stands were the District Governor of Bodrum, Ali Sırmalı, and his wife, the MHP Bodrum district chair Engin Galipoğlu and his wife, together with Yalıkavak Spor Kulübü president Emin Palalı.
President Palalı: “We are proud of our girls, and our target is clear!”
Armada Praxis Yalıkavakspor president Emin Palalı, who followed the match from the guests' stand with great excitement, could not praise the team enough afterwards, having watched alongside Üsküdar Belediyesi Spor Kulübü president Amine Cansu Çelik.
In his post-match remarks Palalı said:
“It was a real play-off contest, truly breathtaking and a pleasure to watch from beginning to end. We can never be proud enough of our girls, who never gave up until the final second and played with heart. With the magnificent driving force of our supporters we came through one of the hardest bends on the road to the title without dropping anything. We are asking for and expecting Bodrum's support for our team. Our target is very clear: with this belief, ambition and determination we will continue our march to the top.”
Match Details
* Venue: Bodrum Binnaz Karakaya Sports Hall
* Date/Time: 14 March 2026 / 17.00
* Referees: Gökhan Keskin, Orhan Keskin
* Half-time: 16 - 13 (Yalıkavakspor)
* Final score: 27 - 25
Armada Praxis Yalıkavakspor
* Starting seven: Bezrukova, Gülcan, Nurceren, Ceylan, Yağmur, Copi, Edanur.
* Scorers: Ceylan Aydemir (8), Gülcan Tügel (7), Edanur Burhan (6), Betül Karaarslan (3), Sofia Bezrukova (1), Hatice Özdemir (1), Ziva Copi (1).
Üsküdar Belediyesi Spor Kulübü
* Starting seven: Selen, Sudenaz, A. Kara, Kaluderovic, Diagouraga, Yasemin, Yağmur.
* Scorers: Fanta Diagouraga (9), Seval Bozova (4), Yasemin Şahin (4), Sinem Vatan Güney (3), Marija Kaluderovic (3), Fatma Gül Midilli (1), Yağmur Özler (1).