Türk Telekom – Eczacıbaşı Zentiva

Türk Telekom has almost gone beyond the injuries which had been happened during the season. Finally team released from the variable formation in the middle of the season. Coach Lang Ping reunited her optimal six. She sometimes replace Özlem with Nilay Konar. Özlem and Maja were the weak ring of Ankara representative when Eczacıbaşı beats Telekom 3-1 away (attack %29, %31). Ebru who played instead of Güldeniz was bad in receiving (%36, %14). Although Telekom got 28 points from opponent errors, did not play how they want especially in attacks (21-43 attack points) and lost the match. Eczacıbaşı scored 15 block points against Telekom’s 4 block. Locomotive of the Team Mirka scored 31 points with %47. Türk Telekom started to second match at İstanbul with actual rotation and managed to stop Mirka this time (%37 attack, 19 points , %25 receive, 6 receive errors). Telekom won the second match with experienced players even though the same values (block:12-11 , attack:41-40, service:11-11). Both teams passed over the first round so easy. Telekom has the court advantage. Eczacıbaşı will try to use much efficient services in order to stop Telekom’s high attacks (Aguero, Mammadova, Özlem, Poljak). The first aim of Telekom will be about to slow Mirka even she is untouchable. Eczacıbaşı needs to speed up the game to pass high Telekom blocks. So they can beat Ankara team with the extra points of Vesna and Esra. Türk Telekom is one step ahead with its experience but will have much difficulty against European 4th.

Estimation : 3-2 Türk Telekom

Fenerbahçe Acıbadem – Galatasaray

Galatasaray not only did the biggest surprise of this season, but possibly the biggest of Turkish Volleyball History. By beating Championship Candidate Güneş Sigorta twice in two days over and over. All the stats for series are so close to each other, Vakıfbank is ahead in a few. The most flashy difference is points from opponent errors. While Vakıfbank got 68 points (27, 18, 23) in 3 matches from opponent errors, Galatasaray had 105 points (31, 35, 39). Namely, Güneş Sigorta loses when trying to play. Güneş Sigorta won more opponent error points when winning a set. Exceptional digits recorded in which Güneş played excellent for second set of 2nd game (%89 receive, %47 attack, 5 block) and second set of 3rd game (%75 receive, %48 attack, 4 block). Vakıfbank could not put the experience on the court at the end of the matches but Galatasaray fought until the end in every game with the young squad. (Age average for Vakıfbank 29, for Galatasaray 23.6).

Besides this, Galatasaray will face to swore opponent with a perfect self-confidence after eliminating a giant. But yellow-reds will be tired for playing 3 matches with 15 sets in 5 days both physical and mental. Neverthess Fenerbahçe had an opportunity to rest most of the players against weak Ereğli Belediye. Also Coach Jan de Brandt tested his team in different rotations which may be used against variant opponents. Average age of Fenerbahçe Acıbadem is not considerable higher than Galatasaray in comparison (25.6). Thus, Fenerbahçe is one step ahead and favorite. When we look at the players, Ceren answered all the objections and comments for her by plaing on the court, but she is not as strong as Oksana for athletic skills and experience. Middle players of Fenerbahçe Acıbadem are ascendant in attacks and blocks, however service technic of Melis and Krsmanovic is very good. Eda and Çiğdem are more experienced players than the opponents but Galatasaray proved experience does not have a team win all the time after winning against a Championship candidate consecutive 2 days. About the spikers, Oganna has a character belongs to opposite player and not good at receiving. But however she breaks the balance of opponent defense with over block spikes. She is also so strong and never gives up playing. Stacey is effective in front area but a little bit unstable. When she is receiving on the back court, she almost gets everywhere. Marina was a middle players before but she plays as a spiker now. However she is so efficient. She also uses strong services and her block timing is so right. Anja is a bit unstable just like Stacey. Beacuse of the foreign player quota, both two spikers replace with libero Valeriya Korotenko. Fenerbahçe’s opposite player is very different from Galatasaray’s one. Seray had an injury that took almost half of the season and she is now weak than the best scorer of European CEV Cup Seda Tokatlıoğlu who opens up every lock when her team is in trouble.

Both team supporters have a capacity to make their teams won the match. But when these two teams face to each other, they are so dangerous fort he teams. We hope this series would be ended without any event on the tribunes.

Estimation : 3-1 Fenerbahçe Acıbadem

Kayhan KÖSEM
kkayhan@hotmail.com