Poland save five match balls to bounce back and claim gold

Poland claimed their second gold medal in the history of CEV Youth Volleyball European Championship – Girls by overpowering Italy 21-25, 17-25, 25-19, 27-25, 18-16 in tonight’s electrifying gold medal battle in Bar, Montenegro. Titleholder Turkey came up to expectations by taking their fourth consecutive medal at CEV/FIVB Youth and Junior competitions as they outclassed Serbia 25-22, 25-23, 25-15 in the bronze medal clash.

Poland claimed their second gold medal in the history of CEV Youth Volleyball European Championship – Girls by overpowering Italy 21-25, 17-25, 25-19, 27-25, 18-16 in tonight’s electrifying gold medal battle in Bar, Montenegro. Titleholder Turkey came up to expectations by taking their fourth consecutive medal at CEV/FIVB Youth and Junior competitions as they outclassed Serbia 25-22, 25-23, 25-15 in the bronze medal clash.

Poland vs. Italy 3:2 (21-25, 17-25, 25-19, 27-25, 18-16)
Poland claimed their second gold medal in the history of CEV Youth Volleyball European Championship – Girls as they saved five match balls against Italy and eventually pulled through 3:2 after five hard-fought sets in the last match of the CEV Youth Volleyball European Championship – Girls on Sunday. In front of 1,000 fans, World No. 7 won 21-25, 17-25, 25-19, 27-25, 18-16 in 120 minutes. 
Poland’s Malwina Smarzek was the game’s top scorers with 21 points, while Sara Bonifacio gained 18 kills for Poland, including 10 blocks.
The match started with Italy getting a four-point advantage early on at 11-7 as they well-covered the court with excellent block-defense work. The East Europeans slowly rolled their engines with Kornelia Moskwa and Magdalena Damaske working effectively to reduce the gap to two points at 16-18. Neither was going to easily give up the chance to walk away as a winner. Italy’s middle blocker Sara Bonifacio and libero Marianna Maggipinto combined efforts to take the first set in favor of Italy at 25-21. Poland’s top scorer Malwina Smarzek had scored only one point in the initial set. 
The second set remained a one-way affair as the Poles, falling quickly behind, couldn’t find any solution to outfox the impressive “squadra azzurra”. At the second technical timeout, the upcoming Italians led with a comfortable eight-point advantage. Another inspiring block by Bonifacio moved her team ahead at 18-10. With their attack struggling, Poland made three successive offensive errors and trailed all the way as the South Europeans picked up the second set by a sharp spike from Anna Danesi.
Going down by two sets, Poland fought bravely to step back. They displayed tight floor defence, allowing hitters to perform more attack strategies that break the solid defensive system from Italy. The comeback of power hitter Smarzek, who scored eight points in the third period, and 11 Italians errors helped Poland overcome Italy and leveled one set back at 25-19.
Sensing an opportunity the Poles looked to take quick control of the fourth set before the first technical break. Poland showed their huge determination as they performed much better now. The Italians – however – drew level at 13-13. It was well expected this set turned to a point-by-point basis which engaged the crowd with much more enthusiastic final atmosphere. Both sides showed their strong will and neither one could build a leading advantage until at 21-21. Danesi and Alice Degradi brought up two match points for Italy at 24-22 but Smarzek and Magdalena Damaske fired back to turn the tables at 24-25. Italy couldn’t react as Giulia Angelina tipped the ball out of bounds to make it two sets to two. 
Italy executed better offense to take the advantage early on in the final set. But Poland's winning spirit was important as they kept the gap narrow and eventually went ahead at 12-11. Poland’s mental skills proved valuable for them in the end to save three more Italian match balls and make them escape the thrilling fifth set in extremis at 18-16, amazingly claiming gold at the 2013 CEV Youth Volleyball European Championship – Girls.

Poland head coach Grzegorz Kosatka: “It’s unbelievable what happened tonight. I can’t put it into words. My girls are completely crazy.”
Poland captain Paulina Baldyga: “We worked very hard and showed great fighting spirit. At the end, it was all about mental power. A dream becomes true.”
Italy head coach Luca Pieragnoli: “We gave Poland the chance to come back with poor serves in the crucial phases of the match. Finally we paid dearly for that lack of experience.”
Italy captain Ofelia Malinov: “We had our destiny in our hands, but couldn’t conclude. Congratulations to Poland, they never gave up.”

Best Players:
MVP: Anastasia Guerra (Italy)
Best SPIKER: Pelin Aroguz (Turkey)
Best BLOCKER: Hande Baladin (Turkey)
Best SERVER: Maja Aleksic (Serbia)
Best LIBERO: Marianna Maggipinto (Italy)
Best RECEIVER: Pola Nowakowska (Poland)
Best SETTER: Eva Mori (Slovenia)
Best SCORER: Anthi Vasilantonaki (Greece)