Leal praises "underdog mentality" to boost Halkbank Ankara's chances in the #CLVolleyM Final Four

Halkbank Ankara have played the mantle of underdogs to perfection this season to reach the Final Four of the CEV Champions League Volley Men and have a shot at the title.

Written off completely by many, the Turkish side conceded two losses in the 4th round, one against Sir Sicoma Monini Perugia, 0:3 on their home court, and another one against Saint Nazaire VB Atlantique, 2:3, also at home.

In the play-offs, they won the first match against Allianz Milano, 3:1, only to concede the second one, 1:3, and go into a golden set, which they won, 15:13. The story repeated itself in the quarter-finals, against PGE Projekt Warszawa.

A 3:1 home win was quickly followed by a 0:3 away loss, which meant that Halkbank needed another golden set to reach the play-offs. Under pressure, the Turkish side delivered a 15:12 win against PGE Projekt Warszawa and returned to the semi-finals of the European premium competition, after a one-year hiatus.

“The underdog mentality really helps the team. We knew from the start that we were not favourites in the matches we played. That gives us more energy to deliver better performances and play good matches. We know we are going to play here, in the Final Four, against some great sides, but anything can happen, and we are ready,” says Halkbank’s star, Yoandy Leal Hidalgo.

The 36-year-old Cuban-born player is one of the most experienced players in the Final Four and has seen many things on the court. That includes winning the CEV Champions League Volley Men in the 2018/19 season with Cucine Lube Civitanova, therefore he knows a thing or two about what a team needs in order to lift the title.

And that experience could be excellently put to use by Halkbank, a team which has reached the final of the European premium competition in the 2013/14 season, conceding the final at home against Russian side Belogorie Belgorod.

“We had a month to prepare for this Final Four, we are happy to be here and we are focusing solely on the match against Perugia on Friday. There is no secret to our form, to our performance, but we are very hungry to perform, because we did not have a good season in the domestic league, therefore we need to win here and have a chance for the title on Sunday,” adds Leal.

Indeed, none of the four participants in this Final Four has secured the title in their domestic leagues, making this ending of the season crucial for their success and Leal knows that the match against Sir Sicoma Monini Perugia will be paramount for Ankara.

The two sides had previously met in the 4th round, with Perugia taking a 3:0 (25:20; 29:27; 25:23) away win and Halkbank avenging that loss and delivering the Italian side their first lost sets in a 3:2 (28:26; 14:25; 15:25; 25:18; 15:12) win.

In the first match, Leal did not play, as he signed for Halkbank in January 2025, but in the second he had 12 points, including two aces, providing an excellent performance for his team. 

But now, the stakes are even higher.

“We know we had a lot of problems, but we always fight for every ball. We never give up. Playing in the Champions League is a beautiful thing to experience. You face a crowd, it is an unique feeling. I think we should be focused and happy we are here and play without a pressure,” adds Leal.

Indeed, this is the mantra that brought Ankara here. Now it is their time to thrive and secure their maiden title.