Halkbank Remained Undefeated by Overpowering Fenerbahce, Important Week Ahead in Italy

Most of the top teams in Europe took a rest this weekend, but this was not the case in Türkiye: Two undefeated teams faced off in the biggest clash in the closing round of the first half of the season. In addition, the clashes in Italy will take place these weekdays, and the #CLVolleyM squads will definitely aim for straight-set victories against their relatively weaker opponents.

The CEV Champions League Volley participant Halkbank Ankara hosted Fenerbahce Parolapara Istanbul in the 13th and the last leg of the first half of the Turkish Efeler League. This game is especially important for both teams since they both had a perfect record prior to this match, and the winner of the clash would complete the first part as leaders. Being aware of this, both teams put in a great effort from the first ball to the last, but with a superior game at the end of each set, the Halkbank side left the court with a straight-set victory (3-0: 25-20, 26-24, 25-19).

With an excellent score distribution thanks to the talented setter American Micah Ma’a, four players managed to score in double digits on the winning side: Dutch Nimir Abdel-Aziz became the top scorer of the match with 17 points in total, including an outstanding service performance, such that he found six points directly from the service line. Mirza Lagumdzija (13 points), Mert Matic (11 points, six blocks), and Earvin Ngapeth (10 points) were the other players who showed impressive plays.

Halkbank, therefore, took the first position from Fenerbahce and remained the only invincible squad in the country. They will close the first half with one last match against Hatay Buyuksehir Belediyespor and will surely aim to continue their top-notch performance.

The CEV Champions League Volley participants will take the court for the eleventh week of the Italian Superlega. Itas Trentino was still in the top position before the week, but they are not unbeaten anymore since they lost to Modena in four sets two rounds ago. They will visit Padova this week, and the goal is surely a straight-set victory. Similarly, Gas Sales Daiko Piacenza and Cucine Lube Civitanova will fight against Modena and Verona, respectively, to pass this leg without letting any shocking results happen.

After watching a high quality volleyball this weekend in the huge battle between Halkbank and Fenerbahce in Türkiye, we will expect some good volleyball actions in Italy, where the superpowers will hold their games to continue staying on the top. Let’s see if any surprising results occur or if the #CLVolleyM teams continue their way with victory, as expected.