Halkbank Ankara claimed a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Allianz Milano in the first leg of the CEV Champions League playoffs. The intense battle unfolded in Ankara, setting the stage for a high-stakes rematch on February 25 in Busto Arsizio, as Milan’s Fashion Week relocates the game.
Match Recap: A Game of Momentum Shifts
The first set was a nail-biter, with Halkbank taking a late lead, but defensive errors allowed Allianz Milano to snatch a 27-25 win. The Turkish side responded with dominance in the second set, crushing Milano 25-16. Building on that momentum, Halkbank secured the third set 25-21 and sealed the victory in a dramatic fourth set, edging out Milano 33-31.
Dutch powerhouse Dick Kooy led the charge for Halkbank, delivering 23 points and earning the MVP title.
What’s Next? The Decisive Second Leg
Despite the loss, Allianz Milano remains optimistic about the second leg. Head coach Roberto Piazza emphasized the need for minor adjustments, stating, “We were just two points away from a different outcome. We’ll be ready for the rematch.”
📅 Next match: Allianz Milano vs. Halkbank Ankara – February 25, 20:45 CET, Busto Arsizio. Will Milano turn the tide, or will Halkbank secure a spot in the next round? Stay tuned!
Halkbank Ankara – Allianz Milano 3-1 (25-27, 25-16, 25-21, 33-31)
- Halkbank Ankara: Cicekoglu, Bidak 4, Ivgen (L), Matic 7, Lagumdzija, Done (L), Leal Hidalgo 13, Kooy 23, Ma’a 4, Sotola 23, Unver, Uzunkol, Dilmenler, Aslan, Coach: Igor Kolakovic
- Allianz Milano: Kaziyski 9, Larizza 1, Zonta 1, Catania (L), Reggers 19, Barotto 4, Piano, Schnitzer 3, Gardini 1, Tatsunori 5, Porro, Louati 9, Caneschi 4, Staforini (L), Coach: Roberto Piazza
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