Turkey faces Poland in the quarterfinals of the Volleyball World Championship on Wednesday at 15:00. The big news on the eve of this match comes from Poland – according to information from the journalistEdyta Kowalczykfrom the publicationPrzegląd Sportowy, one of the leaders of the Turkish national team – the outside hitterEfe Mandıracı– may not take part in the match due to a muscle injury.

A key figure in the Turkish squad

Mandıracı is Turkey's second-highest scorer and alongside the opposite hitterAdis Lagumdzijacarries the main attacking load. Besides attacking, he is also the team's strongest weapon behind the service line. With his 13 points scored in this element so far, Mandıracı ranks second in the overall standings of the best servers, surpassed only by the AmericanGabi Garcia.

What does his absence mean?

Mandıracı's absence could be a serious blow for Turkey. Slobodan Kovac's team has already surprised everyone by qualifying for the quarterfinals – the biggest success in the history of Turkish men's volleyball at world championships. Until now, their best achievement was 11th place in 2022.

Polish analysts emphasize that Mandıracı's role is irreplaceable. “Certainly, outside hitter Mandıracı is the one who will help Adis Lagumdzija carry the weight of the game. Attention should also be paid to middle blocker Bülbül, who is very dangerous not only in attack but also in blocking,” commentedMateusz Niekiel, a member of Poland's coaching staff.

Battle of serve and reception

Polish specialists expect the “serve – reception” element to be decisive. The Turks show a strong and offensive serve, reminiscent of Canada and the Netherlands, but at the same time, they are among the weaker teams in reception. If Mandıracı does not play, the balance in this key segment could significantly tip in favor of Poland.

Turkey's mental resilience

Regardless of the results so far, Kovac's boys continue to show lapses in concentration. The match against the Netherlands revealed tension, conflicts with the referees and among themselves, as well as a series of unforced errors. In such a scenario, the absence of a leader like Mandarajı could further weaken the team's mental stability.

📌The match between Poland and Turkey is on Wednesday at 3:00 PM. 'Druzyna Polska' is a clear favorite, but the potential absence of Efe Mandarajı could make their task even easier.

photo:volleyballworld.com