BR Volleys want to "get off to a good start" in Ankara
The Berlin Volleys' match plan for their tough Champions League group game at Halkbank Ankara on Wednesday (3 p.m. CET) is set. "We have to try to present a united front as a team, play in a relaxed manner, but develop the necessary service pressure and not allow ourselves too many service errors," Managing Director Kaweh Niroomand told the German Press Agency.
The two clubs faced each other twice in the top flight last season. Ankara won both matches: 3:1 at home and 3:0 in Berlin. 2.01-metre tall Dutchman Nimir Abdel-Aziz was outstanding for the Turks at the time, and this time, too, he has already instilled a great deal of respect in the Volleys. "An exceptional player," says Niroomand. He knows: "You can't switch him off completely."
For the Volleys' managing director, the overall distribution of roles is clear: "For the first time this season, we're not going into a game as favorites." His wish: "We want to get off to a good start." Ankara won their first match in the four-team group at Piacenza with an astonishingly confident 3:1, while the Volleys defeated Benfica Lisbon 3:0.
Nehemiah Mote, currently the strongest of the four middle blockers, is out for the Berliners. He is currently in his home country of Australia due to a family bereavement. National player Tobias Krick is not yet fully fit after suffering a concussion, meaning that Timo Tammemaa and Saso Stalekar are the first choice for the two block positions.
BR Volleys aim to maintain their form from their victory against Benfica Lisbon during the group stage of the Champions League. Successfully navigating the service pressure and minimizing errors against Halkbank Ankara's formidable service will be crucial, as noted by Managing Director Kaweh Niroomand, given Ankara's strong performance in their opening match and their past victories against BR Volleys in the group stage of the Champions League.
Source: www.dpa.com
