Round 24 of the Turkish AXA Sigorta Efeler Ligi kicked off with an exhilarating match between two heavyweights in the league – Halkbank Ankara and Fenerbahçe HDI Sigorta Istanbul. With the former sitting comfortably at the top of the standings and the latter not too far behind in third place, fans were in for a treat at the Baskent Volleyball Hall in Ankara (Başkent Voleybol Salonu Ankara).
The hosts started off the match on a high, taking the first two sets with relative ease. However, Fenerbahçe HDI Sigorta Istanbul was not about to go down without a fight. The visitors managed to mount a comeback and level the score, forcing a deciding fifth set.
In a nail-biting finish, Halkbank Ankara managed to hold on and clinch victory with a 17-15 win in the tie-break. The final scoreline read 25-18, 25-15, 23-25, 23-25, and 17-15.
Thomas Jaeschke and Nimir Abdel Aziz were the stars of the match for the winning side, with both players scoring 16 points each. Jaeschke was particularly impressive, converting 61% of his attacks, while Nimir Abdel Aziz managed a 46% conversion rate. On the losing side, Yacine Louati was the standout performer with 18 points to his name.
With this win, Halkbank Ankara solidified their position at the top of the league table. Fenerbahçe HDI Sigorta Istanbul, meanwhile, remain in third place behind Ziraat Bankası Ankara.
AXA Sigorta Efeler Ligi – Round 24
April 1, 2023
Halkbank vs Fenerbahçe HDI Sigorta 3-2 (25-18, 25-15, 23-25, 23-25, 17-15)
April 2, 2023
Ziraat Bankkart Ankara vs Altekma
Galatasaray HDI Sigorta vs Spor Toto
Hekimoglu Global Connect Travel BVI vs Bursa Büyüksehir Belediye Spor
Tokat BLD Plevne vs Develi Bld.
Arkas Spor vs Türsad
STANDINGS
TEAM | POINTS |
1. Halkbank | 63 |
2. Ziraat Bankkart Ankara | 54 |
3. Fenerbahçe HDI Sigorta | 47 |
4. Bursa Büyüksehir Belediye Spor | 43 |
5. Galatasaray HDI Sigorta | 40 |
6. Arkas Spor | 39 |
7. Cizre Belediyespor | 38 |
8. Türsad | 32 |
9. Spor Toto | 27 |
10. Hekimoglu Global Connect Travel BVI | 20 |
11. Altekma | 17 |
12. Develi Bld. | 18 |
13. Tokat BLD Plevne | 2 |
Hatay B. Sehir Bld. (The club has a “frozen” status for this season) | 14 |