From elusive dream to concrete goal: Ziraat ready to fight for historic success
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What has been an elusive dream for Turkish men’s volleyball for years – the CEV Champions League trophy – now looks more reachable than ever. Ziraat Bankkart Ankara are about to take to the 2026 Final Four in the Italian city of Turin this weekend with the confidence that they can win the European crown. It is not the first time a Turkish team has made it to the semifinals of the continent’s most prestigious club competition, but the emphatic manner Ziraat have done it and the potential they have shown make them a strong candidate for their country’s first Champions League gold.
Ziraat have been cruising through this Champions League undefeated. They have won all eight of their games this season, dropping only three sets along the way to the Final Four. The team’s offensive game has been one of its strongest weapons on the court. Swinging at 56%, Ziraat have registered the highest success rate in attack among all Champions League participants so far.
Dutch star opposite Nimir Abdel-Aziz has been leading Ziraat’s spiking effort. With 132 successful attacks under his belt, he has been the team’s best attacker. Adding 17 aces and 12 kill blocks to his tally, he has emerged not only as the team’s most prolific scorer, but also as the player with the highest average of 5.96 points per set in the whole competition (among athletes to have appeared in at least two matches).
“Overall, I am satisfied with my performance so far, but I always believe I can do even better,” Nimir told CEV.eu. “I try to help my team offensively and I’m never afraid to take responsibility in important moments.”
The 34-year-old flying Dutchman is ranked fourth in the Champions League in terms of number of aces, but to those familiar with his serving prowess, even this may seem surprisingly low.
“Regarding my serving, I feel that I’ve found a good rhythm. Serving is a very important part of my game and I like putting pressure on the opponents. Still, the season is not over yet, so I want to keep improving,” commented Nimir.
“Our serving pressure, block-defense organization and the ability to stay calm in difficult moments are key factors,” the 34-year-old striker added. “Definitely, our attacking performance is one of the biggest parts of our success this season. We have a lot of quality players in offense and we are able to find solutions in important moments. But I think what really makes us special is our team chemistry and fighting spirit. All players trust each other and everyone fights for the team.”
Indeed, the club from Ankara has a star-studded roster, featuring a number of top-caliber players alongside Nimir. However, it is not the first season Ziraat have boasted such a stellar lineup. What makes this one different?
“This season, the most important difference is that we truly managed to become a real team,” Ziraat’s 43-year-old head coach Mustafa Kavaz told CEV.eu. “Reaching this level of success was a process for us, built over years of gaining experience. Of course, we also had very talented players in previous seasons and we had already reached the Champions League semifinals before, but this year we created a much stronger unity both on and off the court.
“Our players’ character, work ethic and desire to win have been at the highest level. The coaching staff, players, and club management all united around the same goal. In addition, we managed to stay mentally strong during critical moments throughout the season. I believe this was one of the most important reasons behind our success.”
Turkish men’s volleyball at both the national team and the club level has been clearly on the rise, and Ziraat’s current successful season is one of the examples, but it is yet to catch up and match the country’s success in women’s volleyball.
“Success at the national team level must be the priority, because it will help push volleyball in Türkiye to a higher level. As Ziraat Bankasi Sports Club, the investments we make both in youth development and at the senior team level, as well as the players we bring in, are very important for the development of Turkish players and for the growth of Turkish volleyball overall,” said Kavaz. “I believe men’s volleyball in Türkiye has shown significant progress in recent years. Our clubs are becoming more competitive in Europe and the quality of players continues to improve every season. However, in order to reach the level achieved by women’s volleyball, we still need more sustainable success, stronger investment in youth development, and greater international experience. Increased media coverage and fan interest are also extremely important. I believe Ziraat Bankkart’s achievements this season represent an important step forward for the development of Turkish men’s volleyball. Hopefully, this success will inspire other clubs and young players as well.”
The 2026 Champions League trophy – a dream, a hope or a goal?
Mustafa Kavaz“Everything started as a dream. As we got closer to the trophy, it became a hope. At this point, however, it is a goal for us. Every team that reaches the Final Four has the strength to win the trophy, and we will step onto the court to fight for it. In Turin, our fans will see a Ziraat team that fights, never gives up, and believes until the very last moment. We want to represent our club and our country in the best possible way. I trust our players and coaching staff. We will give our absolute best.”
Head coach of Ziraat Bankkart Ankara
Nimir Abdel-Aziz“For us, it is definitely a goal. When you reach this level, you no longer just dream – you fight to win the trophy. In Turin, the fans will see a team that fights until the very last point, never loses its energy, and shows strong character on the court. Our supporters can expect maximum effort from us. Personally, I want to lead the team in every possible way and give my absolute best.”
Opposite of Ziraat Bankkart Ankara
On Saturday, May 16, the first day of the two-day Final Four event in Turin, Ziraat will take on Poland’s Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie in the second of two semifinals, serving off at 20:30 local time. On Sunday, the winner of the match will meet the winner of the first semifinal between Poland’s PGE Projekt Warsaw and Italy’s Sir Sicoma Monini Perugia, starting at 17:00.
More about Ziraat:
Ziraat Bankkart: Time to raise the bar!