As the Turkish league play-offs start this Sunday, the „wars of budgets“ in Turkish league are reaching their deciding and most dramatic point.
In the first two play-off rounds (quarter-finals and semi-finals), three matches will be played for two deciding victories and finals are going to be played for three victories and 5 possible matches in total. The first round with its eight participating teams starts at the weaker team´s court, next two matches will be played at the opponent´s court.
As expected, behind Ziraatbank Ankara as the winner of 2010-2011 regular season, other five strong-budgeted Turkish clubs lined up in final standings. Until now, the most successful club is Arkas Izmir which already gained Turkish Cup and played in finals of Challenge Cup. Fenerbahce as the last year´s Turkish champion, did not have good regular season and finished at 5th position.
Suprise of this season is Torul Genclik team. With very small budget, but courageous play agains stronger teams, enthusiasm and furious fans, Torul finished at 9th position and stays in the league. Instead, two definitely richer teams, Tofas Bursa and Besiktas Istanbul, are leaving the first Turkish league.
Turkish league 2010-2011 regular season standings:- Ziraatbank Ankara
- Arkas Izmir
- Halkbank Ankara
- Istanbul Büyüksehir Belediyespor (IBB)
- Fenerbahce Istanbul
- Galatasaray Istanbul
- MEF Okullari Istanbul
- Maliye Milli Piyango Ankara
- Torul Genclik
- Cankaya Belediyesi Ankara
- Besiktas Istanbul
- Tofas Bursa
1st round Turkish league Play-off match-ups:
Ziraatbank Ankara – Maliye Milli Piyango Ankara
Arkas Izmir – MEF Okullari Istanbul
Halkbank Ankara – Galatasaray Istanbul
Istanbul Büyüksehir Belediyesi – Fenerbahce Istanbul
The first round will be easy for Ziraat and Arkas, but Istanbul Büyüksehir Belediyesi, Fenerbahce, Halkbank and Galatasaray will have to fight hard for the semifinals.
Ziraatbank Ankara – Maliye Milli Piyango Ankara
Ziraat Ankara team with the most scoring players Celitans (LIT), Platenik (CZE) and Tischer (GER) finished regular season at the first position and matched up with eight position holder Maliye Milli Piyango, supported by Canadian duo Steve Gotch - Josh Howatson and Macedonian opposite Nikola Gjorgiev (Macedonia). Ziraat should win this series without problems.
Arkas Izmir – MEF Okullari Istanbul
The same goes for Arkas Izmir, last week Turkish Cup champion and Challenge Cup finalist. Canadian coach Glenn Hoag´s team with the most scoring Liberman Agamez (COL), Joao Paulo Bravo (BRA) and Burutay Subasi (TUR) is in good shape and has won last three matches against MEF.
Halkbank Ankara – Galatasaray Istanbul
With new coach Ümit Hizal, new Czech middle Jiri Kral and the championship as the only possible aim, the ambitious Halkbank team has won last eight league matches in a row, so it is going to be a hard match-up for Galatasaray. The advantage of Galatasaray is their better performance against stronger teams – to survive in this series, Galatasaray needs to win their first match in Istanbul. The winner of this series will play against Arkas - MEF Okullari series winner.
Istanbul Büyüksehir Belediyespor – Fenerbahce
Probably the most even match-up of this round. Both teams have lost in Turkish Cup Final Four last week against Arkas, so Turkish League Championship can save their season. The first Sunday match at Fenerbahce court will be crucial. Fenerbahce stars Ivan Miljkovic (SRB), Leonel Marshall (CUB), Andrea Geric (SRB) and Tomislav Coskovic (CRO), supported by Turkish National team setter Arslan Eksi and middle-blocker Emre Batur will fight against IBB´s opposite Mikko Oivanen (FIN) and outside hitters Olli Kunari (FIN) and Todor Aleksiev (BUL), along with Turkish national team setter Ulas Kiyak and middle-blocker Erhan Dünge.
Before season, Fenerbahce as the last season champions has bought the biggest stars of the league (Ivan Miljkovic and Leonel Marshall), and was considered as a clear championship favorite. However, problems at serve and reception set Fenerbahce back in many matches and lost of too many points has lead to coach exchange. Long-time Hungarian coach Demeter has been replaced by ex-Polish national team coach Daniel Castellani and team started to show better performance. Nevertheless, reception is still the key weakness of this team.
Istanbul Büyüksehir Belediyesi started season very good, but lost some matches after injury of Olli Kunari. Lately, IBB is again getting better.
Winner of this series will play against Ziraatbank Ankara – Maliye Milli Piyango series winner.
Will the Turkish league stars shine? Let´s see!
Turkish play-offs 1st round programme (times in GMT+1) – watch live at NTV Spor
