"(Nerve battle) I won't back down" Former teammate turns rival, anticipation for this season's hit product 'Korean Air VS Samsung Fire' derby [Yeosu on-site]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Although the defending champions faced the team that finished last season, the heat was hotter than ever. The intensity on the court was even fiercer. Along with a special story, it foreshadowed a new hit product for this season.

Incheon Korean Air defeated Daejeon Samsung Fire 3-1 (25-21, 28-26, 16-25, 25-20) in the first match of Group A at the 2026 Yeosu NH Nonghyup Cup Professional Volleyball Tournament (KOVO Cup), held on the 19th at Yeosu Jinnam Gymnasium.

While the result was a victory for Korean Air, the match was decorated with intensity beyond the numbers. Attention focused on the matchup following Coach Tilkaynen, who led Korean Air through the 2024-2025 season before departing, and Yoo Gwang-woo, who left the team via trade to join Samsung Fire.

After taking the first set, Korean Air also won the second set, suggesting a smooth victory, but the actual content was not so. They narrowly secured the second set after a deuce battle, and conceding the third set heightened the tension.

Ultimately, they secured victory by taking the fourth set, but it was a match that allowed an assessment of Samsung Fire's significantly improved strength this season. Since outside hitter Wang Bin, who joined as an Asian quota player, did not play, one could anticipate that regular season matches would be even more grueling battles.

Most notably, what changed greatly was the attitude of Samsung Fire's players. Previously, as a weak team, they often suffered somewhat listless defeats as momentum shifted, but on this day, they threw their bodies into defense until the very last moment.

After the match, Tilkaynen, Samsung Fire's assistant coach, said, "I really want to praise our players; without just watching and taking hits, they united and pushed through difficult situations," adding, "What fans can expect is a tenacity that passionately refuses to give up."

In particular, the opponent was Korean Air, the former team of head coach Tilkaynen and veteran setter Yoo Gwang-woo, and the players seemed to have taken the court with a solemn mindset. From the early stages of the match, they roared loudly and performed celebrations after every point. Communication never ceased, and it was lively throughout. This made the game more interesting to watch, and Korean Air's players also raised their concentration accordingly. They also performed celebrations after each point, creating an atmosphere akin to a championship final.

After the match, Incheon Korean Air's Jung Ji-seok said, "I fully anticipated it. I knew they would talk a lot and (get on our nerves). It didn't bother me much, but it seemed to affect other players." He added, "The traded players faced each other, and those involved must have been in agony. But as an individual, looking at this scene as a single frame is interesting."

However, Jung Ji-seok was serious more than anyone else and led intense celebrations when scoring. When pointed out that he seemed to be getting on their nerves a lot, Jung Ji-seok gave an awkward smile and explained, "I didn't intend to go that far, but we didn't want to lose and wanted to ride the winning momentum." He continued, "As the captain, I had to lead the team's atmosphere. We made many errors, but I also took a lot of responsibility in big attacks. In the end, I thought it was my job to do so."

It was a match where one could clearly feel that things had changed compared to last season. Jung Ji-seok said, "The atmosphere is very bright. I anticipated this, and since there are many young players, the team atmosphere has become brighter. Although Wang Bin hasn't joined yet, once he does, we can also activate the double act with Hoki." He added, "I look forward to what comes next; it seems like it will be more interesting."

Expectations swelled for what is predicted to be one of the most intriguing matchups throughout this season. Jung Ji-seok resolved his determination by saying, "(Even during the season) we have to do it to win. We will dance and do everything. If they start a (nerve battle), I have no intention of avoiding it."

Yoo Gwang-woo's addition made Samsung Fire even more solid. Jung Ji-seok said, "Samsung Fire is playing too well. I think (Yoo) Gwang-woo hyung's contribution is enormous. Facing him after a long time, he was as tricky as I expected, making me think 'ah, that's why he's this kind of hyung.'" He added, "I only had to face Hoki, but the middle blockers must have been in agony."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original