Poland takes second place in Pool B, forced Slovakia to meet Russia in play offs

Completely different from the day before, Poland national team came up against Slovakia with sports aggressive they used to show. Despite failed so many serves they rehabilited with a block. Finally, Poland beat Slovakia 3-1 (26-24, 20-25, 25-19, 25-22) and took 2nd place in Pool B. In play-offs host team are going to play with Bulgaria, whilst Slovakia’s opponent will be the Russia.

Completely different from the day before, Poland national team came up against Slovakia with sports aggressive they used to show. Despite failed so many serves they rehabilited with a block. Finally, Poland beat Slovakia 3-1 (26-24, 20-25, 25-19, 25-22) and took 2^nd place in Pool B. In play-offs host team are going to play with Bulgaria, whilst Slovakia’s opponent will be the Russia.

Marcin Mozdzonek was the one, who was shining on the start of the first set in ERGO Arena. Stefan Chrtiansky decided to start this match with those, who won clash with Turkey as reserve players, Milan Bencz, Juraj Zatko and others. On the other side, it was no one besides libero Pawel Zatorski smaller than 200 cm respectively. Not surprisingly, Poland had to play amazingly by block, made Sloviakia impossible to finish their spikes on very different sides. Unbelievable streak of blocks last and outstanding spike on free ball committed by Bartosz Kurek set the score on 21-17. With some substitutions, Slovakia catch up the score to 24-24, but Kurek spiked well on block for 26-24.   

In second set Slovakia was better for 10-7 score, and Anastasi decided to change Michal Winiarski for Michal Kubiak. It didn’t change anything in the game of his team, in contrast to changing the setter – Lukasz Zygadlo was replaced by Fabian Drzyzga and Poland became closer to their opponent for 16-17. The crucial action was a spike of Piotr Nowakowski, who attacked highly above the block, giving Slovakia another point for 20-17. Chrtiansky called for a time out when their players seemed to lost concentration (21-19), trying to calm down their game. Chrtiansky’s son spiked or a block-out, then Frantisek Ogurcak did the same and Slovakia won 25-20.

After neck-to-neck beginning, Poland lead 9-7 and after double-block of Nowakowski and Jarosz on Chrtiansky even 13-8. With powerful spike of Kohut and single-block of Michal Masny on Bartosz Kurek, Sloviakia get only two points. Compared to smart game of Polish players, host team cruised to advantage about 4 points on 19-15. It was enough for Anastasi’s team to brought that advantage till the end (25-19).

Poland started with fantastic run into the 6-1. On full speed, they continued successful game, starting to be a kind of fun for them with so many various attacks, playing also well on the serve. However, Slovakia did not stop fighting in this part, playing carefully in defence and successfully in block for 18-19. Even single-block of Martin Nemec on Kurek couldn’t stop Poland to win in this set 25-22 and all match 3-1.

The best scorers in Polish team were Bartosz Kurek with 17 points and Marcin Mozdzonek (16). In Slovakia the best one like in Saturday’s match was Bencz again pointed 15 times and Patak with Chrtiansky scored 12.

First place is for France, Poland ranked 2^nd and Sloviaka 3^rd. At 5PM on Tuesday Russia will meet Slovakia and then on 8PM Poland will face Bulgaria.

‘In advance we realized, that we were promoted into the next round’ admitted Michal Masny. ‘Sadly, we lost tonight and we have to play with Russia, which is in my opinion the hardest opponent we could meet. Well, we will do our best to make the biggest surprise in this match.’

‘ We are happy with this victory, especially that we improved our game. Now we have to prepare well for the Bulgaria and will do our best to do it’ said Mozdzonek shortly.

‘ I think for us this evening was just a possibility to play against strong team. Besides, for my players it was maybe the very first opportunity to play in front of such a great fans with astonishing atmosphere. It is priceless experience for some of them as they have never played in EuroVolley before. I am happy with my players’ performance, because they maybe did not win, but played well. Coach Anastasi made some problems for us with changing the setter and this was a crucial moment of this match. We lost some strength after match with Turkey and it was visible in our number of errors’ committed Stefan Chrtiansky.

 ‘ Of course I am happy, because we won with Slovakia with some movements on the bench. Each team has to play three matches in three days and you can play not so good match, though, you should not repeat it in third day of tournament. I see the progress of my team and I am happy with it. I am also satisfied that my reserve players could help the team tonight. They showed they are necessary for us like any other player in starting line-up’ pointed Andrea Anastasi.