Bulgarian outside hitter Kaloyan Balabanov came off the bench in Sungurlu Belediyespor's fourth consecutive loss in the Turkish SMS Grup Efeler Ligi. The team lost 1:3 (20:25, 25:20, 23:25, 19:25) as a guest to Spor Toto in a match from the fourth round of the championship.
The match took place in Ankara and lasted 116 minutes in front of 200 spectators. The hosts achieved their first victory since the start of the season, while newcomer Sungurlu continues to search for its first success in the elite.
Kaloyan Balabanov entered the game in the fourth set and finished with 2 points, scored from attack. The Bulgarian was successful in two of his three attacks, which brought him 67% efficiency. He also served one ace without an error, and in his two receptions, he did not record a positive play.
Spor Toto started the match better and won the first set with 25:20. However, the guests reacted in the second part, improved their organization in attack, and equalized after 25:20.
The third set proved to be a turning point in the development of the match. The two teams fought a fierce battle, but in the final rallies, the hosts showed greater efficiency and snatched the set with 25:23.
In the fourth set, Spor Toto again asserted its advantage. Despite Sungurlu's attempts to get back into the match, the hosts maintained control and closed the match with 25:19.
The most effective player for the winners was Cuban opposite Jesus Herrera, who scored 29 points and made a major contribution to the team's first success in the championship.
For Sungurlu, the most points were scored by Norwegian outside hitter Oscar Espeland - 22, and American opposite Kyle Ensing added 20.
Despite the good individual performances of the two leading scorers, the guests again failed to find enough consistency in their game to achieve a positive result.
After four played rounds, Sungurlu remains without a victory and without a point. The team is experiencing difficulties in adapting to the higher level of the Turkish elite, and Balabanov's limited playing time so far does not allow the Bulgarian to unleash his full potential.
For Spor Toto, this is their first success of the new season and breaks a streak of three consecutive defeats.