Giesen claims a shocking maiden CLVolleyM win against Fenerbahce. Halkbank prevails in five-setter

Helios Grizzlys GIESEN earned a shocking 3-1 win against Fenerbahçe Medicana ISTANBUL in the 5th leg of the CEV Champions League Volley 2025 group phase. CLVolleyM rookies not only stopped Fenerbahçe strengthened by Paris2024 Olympic MVP Earvin Ngapeth, showing their great team work, but also claimed the first win in their maiden campaign. Later that night, Saint-Nazaire VB Atlantique and Halkbank Ankara again delivered a five-set battle, this time won by the Turkish team led by unstoppable Leal.

Fenerbahçe Medicana ISTANBUL v Helios Grizzlys GIESEN 1-3 (30-28, 23-25, 25-27, 21-25)

CLVolleyM rookie Helios Grizzlys Giesen entered the court at Burhan Felek Voleybol Salonu in Istanbul with no fear, despite a changed line-up due to injuries of their starters, they fought hard and recorded three blocks already at the beginning of the set taking 8-5 lead unexpectedly. Block became their main weapon as it delivered them as many as 5 (4 by Noah Baxpohler) points only in this set and made them keep the distance of a few points up until 22-18. Then Fenerbahce woke up and made up the score with Eervin Ngapeth on the service line they tied 22-22. In a point by point race Grizzlys had in total four set points, but all were denied by Fenerbahce. After a killing attack from Fabian Drzyzga to whom the ball was set by Earvin Ngapeth the hosts got their second chance to close the set and an ace serve from Ngapeth closed it 30-28.

Grizzlys enjoyed a flying opening of the set 2, taking a 4-0 lead, thanks to Mark Rusa who scored points in attack and block. The solid performance in all elements by Grizzlys Giesen put Fenerbahce in trouble again. The visitors led 20-15, when the hosts started to chase the score. Again with Earvin Ngapeth on the service line they made up the difference up to 22-21, but this time the German team withstood the pressure, sealing the set with Michiel Ahyi's kill (25-23).

The third set was the most competitive. Even though Giesen jumped to a 10-7 lead, Fenerbahce responded quickly and tied to continue the set as a point-by-point race that went into extra-time. Ngapeth was a leader of the hosts with 7 points to his name (including two block stuffs), but Giesen's leader - Michiel Ahyi - proved even better, scoring 9 points and it was the visitors to take this part 27-25.

Fenerbahce struggled to find the rhythm also in the fourth set. Drazen Luburic tried to spark back his team, standing out with his performance in this part - 8 killing spikes (73% success), but he alone was not able to stop Giesen, who once again showed great teamwork. An ace serve from Mark Rura moved the guest team to 19-16. Once Ethan Champlin's winning serve on Ngapeth gave them the series of match points at 24-19. The host denied two balls, but Miguel Sinfronio's winning spike closed the game in Giesen's favor 25-21.

Brilliant performance from Michiel Ahyi, who hammered impressive 25 points, including 2 blocks, 1 ace and 22 points (55% success) was recognised with the MVP award. He was followed by Mark Ruse - 19 points (2 aces, 2 blocks, 15 attacks - 45% success), Ethan Champlin - 12 points (11 attacks - 58% success), once Noah Baxpohler tallied 5 blocking stuff. Drazen Luburic and Earvin Ngapeth were Fenerbahce's top scorers with 21 and 17 points, respectively.

SAINT-NAZAIRE VB Atlantique vs Halkbank ANKARA 2-3 (20-25, 25-18, 25-20, 23-25, 11-15)

The first clash of SAINT-NAZAIRE VB Atlantique and Halkbank ANKARA ended with a surprising 3-2 win by the French side, so the return game promised to be no less exciting and it definitely was. The game at La Soucoupe SAINT-NAZAIRE started with Halkbank Ankara controlling the set - Marek Sotola (6 points in the opener) was a main spiker in charge of scoring points, once Micah Ma'a not only almost flawlessly distributed the ball to his teammates, but also scored 4 points by himself (2 blocks, 2 aces). Even though Saint-Nazaire also responded well with good plays, Halkbank won the opener in convincing manner 25-20.

The situation changed completely in the next two sets. Saint-Nazaire with Luuc Van Der Ent on the service line made Halkbank helpless, taking 6-0 lead. The guest team couldn't shake off from this deficit, once the hosts powered by Jordan Ewert (6 points) and Helder Mendes Spencer (5 points) closed the set easily 25-18 with big merit from Fedor Ivanov's block (3 block stuffs in this set).

It looked that Halkbank Ankara was back on the track, leading 8-5, but the team efforts from Saint-Nazaire brought a hard-fought tie at 11-11. Since then the tight head-to-head race started and continued up until 17-17. Laurenco Martins's serve run took the hosts to 21-17 lead and the hosts didn't waste this opportunity, ending the set at 25-20 and taking an unexpected 2-1 lead in the game.

Halkbank Ankara, with no more room for mistake, came back to court fully determined to extend the game, although Saint-Nazaire was no less motivated to win this part, thus both sides produced a tight race. The difference was made by two players - Leal and Marek Sotola (9 and 7 points, respectively), who were the only scorers of Halkbank in this set - except the set point won by Micah Ma'a who contributed with block stuff at 25-23.

The tie-break was a fierce battle and both sides tried to give their very best, delivering a volleyball show at finest level. However, one player stood out - Leal. He not only powered 5 kills, but in the most crucial moment at 13-11 he served two consecutive aces to close the game in Halkbank's favor. Even if Leal was not in the starting six and appeared on the court in the second set, he tallied 21 points, including 15 attacks (63% success), 1 block and 5 aces, being named the MVP. A match-high 25 points was scored by Marek Sotola. Once Jordan Ewert and Jordan Canham were Saint-Nazaire's leaders with 19 and 18 points to their name.