Halkbank suffered a loss as a guest to Galatasaray, after the hosts imposed their will and closed the match in three games3:0 (25:23, 25:20, 25:18)The Turkish grand from Istanbul controlled the key moments and did not allow the team from Ankara to return to the match.
Top scorers for Halkbank
| Player | Points |
|---|---|
| Matey Kaziyski | 11 |
| Yoandy Leal | 10 |
| Tsvetan Sokolov | 10 |
Matey Kaziyski led Halkbank in attack, but the support around him was not enough to compensate for the lower overall attacking efficiency. Leal and Sokolov also reached double-digit points, but with a serious volume of work and inconsistent execution.
Individual leaders in the match
| Category | Galatasaray | Halkbank |
|---|---|---|
| Most ace serves | Ahmet Tumer 2 | Matey Kaziyski 3 |
| Most attack points | Jean Patry 17 | Tsvetan Sokolov – 10 |
| Most blocks | Ahmet Tümer – 3 | Ulaş Kıyak – 2 |
| Top scorer in the match | Jean Patry – 20 | Matey Kaziyski – 11 |
Jean Patry was Galatasaray's undisputed offensive leader and made the difference both with the points scored and his consistency in attack. For Halkbank, Kaziyski stood out most strongly with his serve and overall contribution, but his individual efforts did not change the outcome of the match.
Team statistics
| Category | Galatasaray | Halkbank |
|---|---|---|
| Aces | 5 | 6 |
| Positive receive | 33% | 35% |
| Attack points | 40 | 30 |
| Blocks | 7 | 5 |
| Opponent errors | 23 | 20 |
The statistics clearly show Galatasaray's superiority in attack and blocking, where the home team accumulated a decisive difference. Halkbank had a slight advantage in serving and similar quality in reception, but this was not enough to compensate for the weaker offensive effectiveness and at least reach a more contested set.
What's next for Halkbank
After the league match, Halkbank turns its attention to Europe. In the 3rd round of the CEV Champions League, the team will host Belgian Knack ROESELARE.
The match is scheduled for January 21 (Wednesday) at the TVF Ziraat Bankkart Voleybol Hall in Ankara and will start at 18:00 Bulgarian time.
The European match comes at a crucial moment for Halkbank, who will be looking for a response after the league defeat and a more stable performance in all game elements.
