The start of the season in the Turkish Efeler League offered a real spectacle – and one with a clear Bulgarian accent. In the first round, former national setter Georgi Seganov and his team ON Hotels Alanya BLD faced off against the star trio of Halkbank Ankara – Matey Kaziyski, Tsvetan Sokolov, and coach Radostin Stoychev.
ON Hotels Alanya BLD – Halkbank 2:3 (18:25, 29:27, 20:25, 28:26, 12:15)
The match in Alanya went through a real five-set drama, in which the hosts twice leveled the score after extensions. After the guests took the first set 25:18, an extremely contested second set followed, won by Alanya 29:27. Halkbank again took the lead 25:20, but the fourth set brought a new sensation – 28:26 for the hosts after a series of strong performances by the Iranian Bardia Saadat.
In the tie-break, the team from the capital took a 4:1 lead, then 10:5 after a block by Kaziyski against Saadat, and did not lose control until the end. The match concluded after a service error by the hosts – the first success for Halkbank and the first two points in the championship for the Turkish champion.
Match Statistics
| Team | Attack | Block | Ace |
|---|---|---|---|
| ON Hotels Alanya BLD | 61 | 6 | 11 |
| Halkbank Ankara | 50 | 14 | 23 |
The difference in direct service points – 23 against 11 – proved decisive. Kaziyski and Sokolov scored a total of 12 aces, and it was the Bulgarians' serve that broke the hosts' resistance. Blocking was also a key factor – 14 against 6 in favor of Halkbank.
Individual Performances
| Player | Team | Points | Ace | Block |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bardia Saadat (Iran) | Alanya BLD | 29 | 2 | 2 |
| Yoandy Leal | Halkbank | 22 | 3 | 2 |
| Tsvetan Sokolov | Halkbank | 21 | 5 | 0 |
| Matey Kaziyski | Halkbank | 20 | 7 | 2 |
| Georgi Seganov | Alanya BLD | 2 | 0 | 1 |
Kaziyski and opposite hitter Sokolov demonstrated their class already in the first round, combining for 41 points and 12 aces. Leal was the most consistent in attack, while Bardia Saadat once again showed why he is considered one of the most talented Iranian attackers.
Georgi Seganov confidently orchestrated the hosts' game, adding 2 points one from attack and one from block. Despite the loss, his team left an excellent impression and promises to be an unpleasant opponent for the leading clubs.
