In the first match of CEV Champions League Group C, Halkbank defeated Italian representative Gas Sales Daiko 3-1 away.
Halkbank did not start the match played at the Palabanca Piacenza Sports Hall in the city of Piacenza as it wanted, falling behind by 4 points (6-2) at the beginning of the set. Halkbank recovered and equalized at 9-9 in the middle of the set. Continuing its effective play, the capital representative completed the first set ahead 25-19.
While both teams started the second set by mutually scoring points, the middle of the second set was tied at 12-12. Halkbank took the lead by 3 points (12-15) in Ngapeth’s service round, and finished the second set ahead 25-18, in which it played superiorly.
Gas Sales Daiko started the third set well and gained 5 points (12-7) towards the middle of the set. Although Halkbank tried to reduce the difference with player changes, the home team did not allow this and won the third set 25-19.
In the fourth set, both teams played well in offense and defense, and the beginning of the set was tied at 9-9. While there was a 18-18 tie in the middle of the set, Halkbank increased the difference with Ngapeth’s service round at the end of the set and won the fourth set 25-21 and the match 3-1.
With this score, Halkbank started the CEV Champions League with a victory.