📉 Turkey barely 16th after the second week in the VNL
The Turkish men's national volleyball team is experiencing serious difficulties in this year's edition of the Nations League (VNL) and after the end of the second week occupies 16th place with:
🏐 2 wins and 6 losses,
set win ratio of 0.444,
point win ratio of 0.939.
It is particularly telling that one of these two victories came against Bulgaria in Burgas, where the Turks won in a match marked by a severe injury to Moni Nikolov, who, landing after a block, stepped on the foot of Turkish player Mirza Lagumdzija. The serious incident disrupted the rhythm of the Bulgarians, who at that moment were taking the initiative, after losing the first set.
🔥 The Turkish Federation reacted: parting with Umut Çakır
Turkey's poor performance and unconvincing play led to quick changes in the staff. The Turkish Volleyball Federation (TVF) officially announced that it had parted ways by mutual agreement with head coach Umut Çakır and his assistant Mert Karatop. The decision was made during the tournament - a rare practice that emphasizes the urgency of the situation and the need for a new approach.
📝 Slobodan Kovač - the name that should change everything
All eyes are now on Slobodan Kovač, the Serbian specialist who coaches Fenerbahçe Istanbul and knows Turkish volleyball very well. According to Miljana Rogač from Meridian Sports, Kovač is very close to an agreement with the Turkish Federation.
Polish journalist Jakub Balcerzak also reports that the contract is practically ready and only the formal signing remains.
▶ Two possible scenarios for Kovač's debut
🏐 OPTION 1: Already at the Nations League
If the contract is finalized in the coming days, Slobodan Kovač could take over the national team as early as the third week of the VNL. This would give him a chance to start implementing his requirements and tactics in official matches, albeit on the fly.
Pros:
He will see the players under pressure in a real environment and will immediately start building a structure.
He will be able to experiment with new schemes.
Cons:
Minimal time for preparation and adaptation.
Risk of additional losses, which could shake the team's confidence.
🏐 OPTION 2: Full focus on the World Championship
The other scenario is for Kovac to start work after the end of the Nations League, so that he has time to carefully analyze all aspects of the team and prepare Turkey directly for the World Championship in September.
Pros:
He will be able to build his game calmly, without pressure for immediate results.
He will use the Nations League as a "scanner" for the available potential.
Cons:
The national team will miss the chance to start getting used to Kovac's methods in real matches this summer.
🗣 Comment: Turkey no longer wants just to be present
The appointment of Slobodan Kovac seems logical after the alarming start of the VNL and clearly shows that Turkey does not want to be just a "participant" in major forums, but to attack the top positions. The Serbian coach is known for his discipline, professionalism and ability to build fighting teams from ambitious, but sometimes inexperienced players.
The question is no longer whether, but when - whether Kovac will start already at the Nations League and try to reverse the psychological climate, or will have an entire preparatory cycle before the World Championship to build a completely new look for Turkey.
Photo: Fenerbahce SK
