Poland drops one set but keeps on winning

On Sunday evening in the last match in Wroclaw during the second-round qualifier for the 2015 CEV Volleyball European Championship – Men Poland beat Slovenia in four sets (25-15, 26-24, 23-25 and 25-20). With this result they secured their position on top of the standings in Pool A, finishing the tournament with all 9 points, followed by Slovenia (4 points), Latvia (4) and the FYR of Macedonia (0).

On Sunday evening in the last match in Wroclaw during the second-round qualifier for the 2015 CEV Volleyball European Championship – Men Poland beat Slovenia in four sets (25-15, 26-24, 23-25 and 25-20). With this result they secured their position on top of the standings in Pool A, finishing the tournament with all 9 points, followed by Slovenia (4 points), Latvia (4) and the FYR of Macedonia (0).

Both teams started the match fully concentrated and fought fiercely for every ball. The hosts remained ahead, first only slightly (10:8), but later in the set they increased the advantage and easily picked up the set 25-15.

In the second set the Slovenians started serving very aggressively, which caused some problems on the Polish side (7:3 for Slovenia after a series of four unanswered points). Poland clearly lost focus,  but tried to make up for the lost points and managed to do so right after the second TTO (from 13:16 to 16:16). However, the Slovenians impressed the crowd in Wroclaw with some good blocks and strong spikes and once again jumped ahead to 20:17. In the final stage Poland's coach, Stephane Antiga made a double change in his team to improve the play (Grzegorz Bociek for Mariusz Wlazly and Pawel Zagumny for Fabian Drzyzga) and they leveled the score once more at 23:23 and a true volleyball thriller began. The White-and-Reds, buoyed by their colorful fans took the set 26-24.

The situation from the beginning of the second set repeated itself in the third one – the Slovenians took the lead from the first balls (6:3). The guests continued putting pressure on the opponents with powerful spikes, but at one point they lost their concentration. Poland took the opportunity and tied the score at 12:12. After that the play continued on a point-by-point basis. In the final stage of the set both teams showed great skills in defense, but also how nervous they all were – the play was very chaotic at times. The Slovenians were the ones who overcame the nerves and they won the set 25-23. 

In set 4 the score stayed pretty close, with the hosts slightly on top (8:6 at the first TTO, then 12:9). Their power in serve returned, giving Slovenia a lot of trouble, which allowed the Poles to jump ahead to 15:10. The Slovenians kept pushing, but were not able to catch up. The Poles remained in control, took the set 25-20 and the entire match 3-1.

“We had our chances tonight,” said Slovenia captain Tine Urnaut. “Especially in the second set, when we were leading almost the entire time. We lost focus in the end and they took the opportunity.”

“I am glad I could give other players a chance to play,” said Stephane Antiga, the head coach of Poland. “Pawel Zagumny played a very good match. I am happy with the way my guys played today and during the entire tournament.”

“I wish we hadn't lost those two precious points with Latvia and the FYR of Macedonia. We will need them next week,” commented the Slovenian coach, Luka Slabe.