France jumps to the second victory and to the next stage

Poland and France created an amazing show in ERGO Arena fulfilled with maximum number of fans over the tribunes. It was up-and-down volleyball show on the one hand with spectacular spikes, but also with so many failed serves. Finally, it was France who won 3-1 (25-22, 25-23, 20-25, 25-20) and provided themselves to play in the next round of EuroVolley.

Poland and France created an amazing show in ERGO Arena fulfilled with maximum number of fans over the tribunes. It was up-and-down volleyball show on the one hand with spectacular spikes, but also with so many failed serves. Finally, it was France who won 3-1 (25-22, 25-23, 20-25, 25-20) and provided themselves to play in the next round of EuroVolley.

Poland and France started battle for the leader of Pool B with exciting volleyball show, accounting Antonin Rouzier’s kill on passing ball as well as Piotr Nowakowski’s quick spike and then brilliant block together with Michal Winiarski. Lucky serve of Bartosz Kurek forced Rouzier to error attack on not so well set ball (13-11). Jenia Grebennikov played bravely and with devotion, but was completely shiftless in front of well-played host team. But then Poland lost their minds, started to failed some simple actions of Kurek and Marcin Mozdzonek or even Jakub Jarosz. France made use of that very quickly and Poland was soonly unable to attack effectively. What’s more they had terrible streak on the serve and on 23-22 Gerald Hardy-Dessources spiked well, forced Anastasi to take a time out. Moment later, Earvin Ngapeth finished this part by an ace (25-22).

In second set Poland continued its bad game, so Anastasi decided to change Jarosz for Grzegorz Bociek. Young hope of Polish volleyball made the game much more dynamic. With strong and brilliant pipe of Winiarski, Poland catched up to the 9-11. Spectacular short spike of Ngapeth on full speed extended advantage to 16-12. Then Nowakowski blocked Rouzier on the right side of the net for 17-19, but France was better without any doubts. Block-out action of Kurek and Lukasz Wisniewski’s ace set the score at 22-23, but after another failed serve, this time of one of the best on court Bociek, France won 25-23.

Poland improved their game, however it could not be even worse on serve as they failed 13 times during two former parts. They cleared their minds and started to play with accuracy and dynamic, also strong with block. Polish players released their sports aggressiveness and jumped into big advantage like 14-9 and with amazing Kurek, still supported by Bociek, 16-11. Single block of Wisniewski for 18-12 discouraged France, which couldn’t stop to make so many errors.  Poland eventually get a surely victory 25-20 after Ngapeth bad serve.

Still good in block, Poland stayed calm on the court. Due to two successive actions, which allowed France to lead 7-5, Anastasi decided to talk with his team on time out. It brought some effects and evened game. It was France which came back to the match with some respective and powerful actions, made from the simple match truly volleyball show. Laurent Toniutti’s team played well, however Poland with good Jarosz’s serve, who came back for the Bociek, and two successive block rised up. Fortunately, Winiarski was focused enough to bear the weight of this match on Poland’s side, however it was not enough. Poland finally lost 20-25.

The best player in French team was Antonin Rouzier who scored 16 points and was one point better than Earvin Ngapeth. In Poland’s team the outstanding one was Bartosz Kurek again with 20 points.

‘Congratulations to French players, who player amazing volleyball tonight in defence and assecurated well too. Our road to Copenhagen is longer than it was before, but it do not cross out our chances to go there. Tough moments can re-built the teams, making them even stronger, so I do believe that this time the same will be in our situation’ hoped Marcin Mozdzonek.

‘ it was amazing game for us because atmosphere in hall is totally amazing. I think that we need to forget about today’s match and keep focused on next match with Turkey. We know we can play well with good teams like Italy or Poland, but sometimes can’t  do this with those ones, which are on lower positions  in ranking. We want to have a one day more for rest, so we will fight for this victory tomorrow’ promised Benjamin Toniutti.

‘France played interesting match today, though, for us it was tough game. We lost fourth set in its middle part, however it is not the most important now. We must prepare well to tomorrow’s match, which will be crucial for us’ said shortly Poland’s coach, Anastasi.

‘In my opinion it was the best match we played among few years till now. My team by this summer have catch very good form. Our best thing is now defence and covering the court. That’s the way we won tonight. We are happy with this victory, but – as my captain told – should forget about it as soon as it is possible. We must be focused on tomorrow. It is a long tournament, so we must be concentrated for each time’ ended Laurent Tille.