Halkbank Ankara Stunned by Saint-Nazaire in Champions League Volley

In the first match of the CEV Champions League Group D, Halkbank lost 3-2 to the French team SAINT-NAZAIRE VB Atlantique.  Halkbank will face the Czech team Jihostroj ČESKÉ BUDĚJOVICE in an away game on November 20 for their second match in the group.

In the first set of the match, the Saint-Nazaire team was superior to Halkbank in block, reception, service, and attack. As a result, Saint-Nazaire managed to win the first set 22-25: 0-1.

In the second set, Halkbank, revived by their fans' enthusiasm and effective blocks that stopped their opponents, won the extended set (30-28), evening the set scores at 1-1.

Halkbank showed their true strength in the third set, reflecting team spirit all over the court, and when they forced their French opponent to take their second timeout, they were leading 20-15. With their defensive plays and blocks making a difference, the team from the capital took the set 25-18, leading 2-1.

In the fourth set, as mistakes were repeated, the French team, which reached 25-20, leveled the score and the match went to a tie-break set: 2-2. 

Saint-Nazaire led at the court change in the final set. Despite challenge requests and objections that lowered the quality of volleyball, the exciting set was won by Saint-Nazaire 24-26, and they emerged victorious from the match with a 3-2 win.

The Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the match was Jordan Matthe Ewert from the visiting team.

Interesting facts

One of Turkiye's most experienced journalists, Nazir Önal, covered the event alongside his daughter, who has followed his footsteps in journalism.

Halkbank Sports Club rented the venue where the match was held, enabling fans to watch the game free of charge.

Mert Matic, a player from Halkbank Sports Club, was supported from the stands by his wife, İrem Yaman Matic, a World and European Taekwondo Champion.