Poland reigns supreme in Wroclaw

Poland needed only a little more than an hour to crash the FYR of Macedonia 3-0 (25-13, 25-15, 25-15) in the second match of the second-round qualifier for the 2015 CEV Volleyball European Championship – Men a in Wroclaw.

Poland needed only a little more than an hour to crash the FYR of Macedonia 3-0 (25-13, 25-15, 25-15) in the second match of the second-round qualifier for the 2015 CEV Volleyball European Championship – Men a in Wroclaw.

The first set started according to the commonly-predicted scenario – the hosts quickly gained a five-point advantage (8:3 at the first TTO), surprising the opponents with block and serve. The Macedonians did their absolute best, but were helpless against the Polish power. Poland easily took the set 25-13.

The second set was a continuation of the Polish domination. The second Mariusz Wlazly would start serving (3 aces, all of them over 120km/hour!), they scored series of unanswered points, leaving the Macedonians speechless. They had major problems with reception, the hosts were very aggressive in this element. Poland jumped ahead to a six-point leading and maintained this (or bigger) advantage throughout the set. Both head coaches made some substitutions – Poland's Stepane Antiga to test other players, Macedonia's Zharko Ristoski - to maybe change the image of the play. But the Poles were unstoppable and picked up the set 25-15.

The last set was just a formality. The White-and-Reds quickly jumped ahead to 9:3 and remained ahead, regardless of the Macedonians' great efforts to catch up. Poland overpowered the opponents in every element and won the set 25-15 and the entire match 3-0.

“I played against very good and strong players in my life, but some of those serves I've seen for the first time ever. Amazing,” said the FYR of Macedonia captain, Nikola Gjorgiev after the match.

Head coach of Poland, Stephane Antiga was very proud of his team.

“I am very happy mostly because the way they played today. We had some very strong serves, we played well in block and in defense. But also we played very smart.”

On Sunday the FYR of Macedonia will play Latvia (3pm local time) and Poland will take on Slovenia (6pm local time).