Turkiye shocks volleyball world with perfect Pool G sweep

The world No. 16 squad announced its arrival with a stunning sweep of then-No. 5 Japan in its pool play opener, setting the tone for what would become a dominant run. That upset, followed by a gritty 3-1 victory over Libya and a clinical 25-21, 25-16, 27-25 sweep of world No. 7 Canada, catapulted Turkiye to the top of Pool G.

For head coach Slobodan Kovac, the mission has been clear from the beginning: to prove that Turkiye is far from ordinary. 

Even with qualification for the Round of 16 already secured before facing Canada, Kovac refused to let his players relax, applying relentless pressure and insisting that every match carried weight. Not just for positioning, but also for valuable ranking points.

That demanding approach has rubbed off on his players, particularly opposite spiker Adis Lagumdzija. 

Against Canada, Lagumdzija hammered 14 points, embodying the competitive fire Kovac has instilled. The towering hitter admitted that while they expected a grueling challenge from Japan in the opener, sweeping the Asian powerhouse became the confidence boost that fueled their run through pool play.

The victory over Japan served as confirmation that they could hold their own against the best in the world. From that point onward, the team’s mindset shifted—no opponent seemed unbeatable anymore, only obstacles to overcome with relentless effort and discipline.

Lagumdzija highlighted Turkiye’s edge: their physicality. 

Believed to be the tallest team in the tournament, they rely on their imposing presence at the net to block and defend with suffocating consistency. Against Canada, their defense was airtight, rarely letting the ball touch the floor and forcing their foes into errors.

When Turkiye executes at that level, Lagumdzija believes they are nearly impossible to stop. Their performance in pool play not only silenced doubters but also sent a warning to the rest of the field.

As they now prepare for a knockout showdown against either Poland or the Netherlands, Turkiye carries with it a newfound aura—one built on power, resilience, and a growing belief that they can take down anyone standing in their way.