Can Grupa Azoty Kędzierzyn-Koźle turn their season around against Halkbank?

Dynasties are hard to build, especially in a competitive environment such as the CEV Champions League Men. In the history of the European premium competition, only one side, Zenit Kazan, has managed to secure four consecutive titles, dominating the competition between 2014 and 2018.

Now, another powerhouse can reach those heights, as Grupa Azoty Kędzierzyn-Koźle have dominated the competition over the last three seasons, winning the title each time. However, this season, the Polish team has found it difficult to maintain a balance and were on the brink of elimination in the 4th Round of the CEV Champions League Men.

There were injuries and some underpar performances, but Grupa Azoty Kędzierzyn-Koźle proved that they belong in the European premium competition, coming from two sets behind to clinch a 3:2 win over Knack Roeselare in the matchday, to secure their place in the play-offs.

With a fiery clash against last season’s semi-finalists, Halkbank Ankara, on the cards in the play-offs, Grupa Azoty Kędzierzyn-Koźle made some changes, replacing coach Tuomas Sammelvuo with Adam Swaczyna. Therefore, the pressure will be on Swaczyna to deliver, especially after the disappointing start of the season.

“Yes, I will make my debut as a head coach, but I have plenty of experience assisting Nicola Grbic or Gheorghe Crețu in the last years, therefore I had the chance to get acquainted with some of the best work in the world of volleyball and I hope that I will be able to take full advantage of it,” said Swaczyna before the match against Halkbank.

The reigning champions have already met Turkish opposition this season, with Ziraat Bank Ankara winning both matches against the Polish side, 3:2 in Ankara and 3:0 on their home court. Therefore, Grupa Azoty Kędzierzyn-Koźle must step up the tempo in the first mutual clash against Halkbank.

“We all really want to advance to the next phase of the Champions League and this is why we have carefully prepared for this doubleheader. We are getting back into shape and I hope we will prove it on Wednesday,” added Swaczyna.

On the other hand, Halkbank are looking to come back to the semi-finals like in the previous season, but being the best second-placed team in the previous round was surely viewed as an advantage by many. Few would have thought it will produce such a fiery clash in the play-offs.

“It is a known fact that Zaksa is very experienced in winning gold medals in the Champions League many times. Halkbank's power is also clear. That's why the competitions in Poland and Ankara will be difficult for both teams. We are preparing well. We will seek the win in both home and away matches,” said Gordon Perrin, Halkbank’s outside hitter.

It will also be a special match for Halkbank’s star, Nimir Abdel-Aziz, the team’s top scorer, with 115 points, and the second-best scorer in the European premium competition after the previous round. Abdel-Aziz, Ankara’s main weapon this season, has featured for Grupa Azoty Kędzierzyn-Koźle in the 2014/15 season.

While winning 16 matches in the Turkish league this season, Halkbank finished second in the pool in the CEV Champions League 2024 Men, conceding losses against Gas Sales Daiko Piacenza and Berlin Recycling Volleys.