Poland lost to Belgium 0-3

Poland lost to Belgium 0-3 (20-25, 20-25 and 25-27). This result gave Belgium the top spot in Pool K and an immediate qualification to the Final Round of the World Championship.

Poland lost to Belgium 0-3 (20-25, 20-25 and 25-27). This result gave Belgium the top spot in Pool K and an immediate qualification to the Final Round of the World Championship.

The last match of the tournament was the cherry on the cake – Atlas Arena was full and completely covered in white and red. The game started well for the hosts as they quickly jumped out to 5:2, but Belgium immedietely tied the score and they were the ones leading slightly at the first TTO. The play continued on a point-by-point basis, but the Poles lost focus and the Belgians scored five unanswered points (18:12). They remained ahead till the end and picked up the set 25-20. 

Poland started the second set highly focused, determined to tie the overall score. From it's first actions, the fight in the set was very fierce. Belgium stayed slightly ahead, but the hosts managed to level the score at 12:12, thanks to Malgorzata Glinka-Mogentale powerfull kills and Anna Werblinska serves. However, the guests once again got ahead (21:17) and the Poles were unable to catch them this time. Belgium took the set 25-20 and set the score in the match at 2-0. 

In set 3 the Poles managed to finally take the lead (10:8, then 14:11), but then the Belgians scored a series of points and left the opponents behind at the second TTO 16:14. Poland fought very hard and managed to tie the score at 19:19. After a true thriller that was the end of the set Belgium used their first match point and won 27:25 and the entire match 3-0. 

“We were very nervous today,” said Poland captain Malgorzata Glinka-Mogentale after the game. “But we are professionals, so we cannot blame this loss on the nerves. We should have played better.” 

Head coach of Belgium Gert Vande Broek: “In the last two days Poland was very strong in attack, they had 60% efficiency. Today it was a lot lower. We played very well in defence and block, which was the main trouble for them. We also served well and I think we deserve this qualification. The level of this match was very high, but the pressure of the crowd was on them and it helped us a lot.”