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The 2026/27 SMS Grup Efeler Ligi season has officially begun in Turkey, with powerhouse clubs Ziraat Bankkart and Halkbank both securing opening-round victories. The new campaign kicked off with several exciting matchups, setting a strong tone for the league.
Opening Day Dominance for Top Teams
In a highly anticipated Istanbul clash, Ziraat Bankkart delivered a commanding performance, sweeping Fenerbahçe Medicana 3-0. The match, held at Burhan Felek Vestel Volleyball Hall, saw the Ankara-based team secure set scores of 25-22, 25-21, and 25-22. Key offensive contributions came from Yuki Ishikawa with 16 points, Erhan Hamarat adding 11, and Trévor Clévenot contributing 10 points. Despite Fenerbahçe’s experienced squad putting up a fight, Ziraat Bankkart consistently found ways to close out crucial moments in each set.
Meanwhile, in Ankara, Halkbank also started their season on a winning note, overcoming a slow start to defeat Galatasaray Madeş Mobilya 3-1. The final scores were 23-25, 25-20, 27-25, and 25-23. Brazilian opposite hitter Darlan Ferreira was the standout performer for Halkbank, pouring in a match-high 31 points to guide coach Radostin Stoytchev’s squad to their first win of the season.
Dramatic Comebacks and Solid Starts
The opening round also featured a thrilling five-set comeback. Altekma staged a remarkable recovery against Spor Toto, fighting back from two sets down to claim a dramatic 3-2 victory. After losing the first two sets with close scores of 27-29 and 21-25, the İzmir team mounted an impressive resurgence. They dominated the third set 25-9, followed by a hard-fought 27-25 win in the fourth, and ultimately clinched the tie-break 15-13.
Other notable results from the first round include İBB Spor Kulübü securing a solid 3-1 away win against Sungurlu Belediyesi. Gebze Belediyesi also marked a successful start to their campaign, defeating Akedaş Onikişubat Belediyesi by the same 3-1 margin.
Opening Round Notes
- Ziraat Bankkart swept Fenerbahçe Medicana 3-0.
- Halkbank defeated Galatasaray Madeş Mobilya 3-1.
- Altekma came back from two sets down to beat Spor Toto 3-2.
- İBB Spor Kulübü won 3-1 on the road against Sungurlu Belediyesi.
- Gebze Belediyesi started with a 3-1 victory over Akedaş Onikişubat Belediyesi.
One fixture, Sultanbeyli Belediyesi versus On Hotels Alanya Belediyesi, was not played as the home team failed to appear. The Turkish Volleyball Federation is expected to announce its official decision regarding this match soon.
These opening results highlight the competitive nature of the SMS Grup Efeler Ligi and set the stage for an exciting season ahead, with established teams like Ziraat Bankkart and Halkbank showing early form.
Source: World of Volley Turkey