Home victory for Milan: Izmir beaten in three sets in the first leg semi-final
Allianz Milano – Altekma SK Izmir (TUR) 3-0 (25-21, 32-30, 25-18) – Allianz Milano: Recine 2, Ichino 1, Catania (L), Reggers 28, Masulović 9, Lindqvist, Gil Kreling 2, Otsuka 14, Di Martino 1, Caneschi 3. N.E. Masajedi, Barbanti, Benacchio, Corbetta. Enclosure Square. Altekma SK Izmir (TUR): Kara (L), Ewert 10, Kirkit 8, Lawani 16, Zambak, Şahin (L), Öndeş 3, Kursav, Buculjevic 2, Pinar 6. N.E. Hamarat, Derince, Kandemir, Dokumaci. Coach Tok. REFEREES: Tirsel, Hagstrom. NOTES – Set length: 27′, 40′, 28′; total: 95′. Allianz Milano: 20 wrong serves, 3 winners. Altekma SK Izmir (TUR): 15 wrong serves, 2 winners.
Allianz Milano secured a resounding victory in front of their home crowd, defeating Altekma SK Izmir 3-0 in the first leg of the Challenge Cup semifinal, the third most important European tournament. The Milanese team’s home win brings Allianz closer to the final: in the return match, scheduled for a week in Milan, a two-set win will be enough to secure a spot in the title game.
After two evenly matched sets—the second set was a close one and ended in deuce—Allianz Milano assertively prevailed in the third, finishing the match in an hour and a half. Francesco Recine’s injury is a concern, and his condition is being evaluated by the medical and physiotherapy staff. Ferre Reggers (28 points) was the MVP of the evening, followed by Otsuka’s 14. Among the Turkish team, two former SuperLega players, Lawani (16) and Ewert (10), scored double figures.
Milan now enters the Credem Banca Playoffs: Game 1 of the Quarterfinals will see the team travel to Verona, kicking off Sunday at 6:00 PM, live on Rai Play.
Challenge Cup 2026
Semifinals – Away Match
Thursday, March 12, 2026, 6:00 PM
Altekma SK Izmir (TUR) – Allianz Milano
