The Czechs beat Poland

Defending champion Serbia fell short against courageously fighting Bulgaria in a remarkable five-set thriller (25-23, 25-13, 22-25, 28-30, 13-15). In Pool D’s second match of the day, the Czech Republic overpowered Poland in extremis 24-26, 25-21, 25-21, 24-26, 15-12.

The Czech Republic claimed their first victory in Pool D after defeating a strong Polish team in five sets (24-26, 25-21, 25-21, 24-26, 15-12). 1.372 spectators witnessed a very close match up with excellent volleyball from both teams. Best player of the day was Andrea Kossanyiova of the Czech team with superb spikes from the left.

In the first set, the team from the Czech Republic took the first lead (6-3) taking advantage of quite nervous Polish players who had a few unforced errors early in the game. Throughout the entire set, the Czech ladies kept a small lead of not more than three points. However, in crunch time of the first set Poland turned the tables taking their first lead at 23-22 winning the set in 29 minutes 26-24. The Czech team struggled late in the set, especially in defensive play. Andrea Kossanyiova (CZE) was the leading scorer with six points.

The second set started with a series of errors on both sides. Both attacking players of Poland and the Czech Republic dominated this phase of the game with well-placed spikes. At the first technical time-out, Poland trailed their opponent by only one point (7-8). During this stage of the set, no team could extend their lead until Czech's Kossanyiova smashed the Mikasa down to make it 18-16. The game stayed close until the end of the set when the Czech team took a two-point lead (23-21), putting a lot of pressure on the Polish team. The Czech Republic finished strongly winning the second set 25-21 and thus tying the duel 1-1.

Poland started better into the third set taking an early lead (3-1) but the Czech team fought back keeping the game close at the first technical time out (7-8). After the technical time-out, the Czech ladies extended their lead with powerful offence play, especially by their wing-spikers leading 16-11 at the second technical break. Poland could not find a way to stop the good Czech offence; consequently, the Czech team grabbed the third set 25-21. Michaela Monzoni (CZE) became the key player for her team with six points.

Like in the previous sets, both teams were facing each other on an equal level in the fourth set with some advantages on the Czech side, leading at the first technical time-out (8-6). After exhausting long rallies, the better end was mostly on the Czech side leading by five points later in the set (19-14). However, Poland could close the gap and even turned the set around displaying great fighting spirit to win it with their first set point 26-24.

Tiebreak play stayed as close as the rest of the match until the Czech block accelerated in the end to grab the win after a marvellous marathon match.

Poland captain Katarzyna Skowronska-Dolata: “It is not easy to accept the loss. I feel really bad about it and guilty as well because I made too many mistakes.”

The Czech Republic captain Aneta Havlickova: “It was a very hard match against a strong opponent. We put everything we had into this game and won a very important match.”

Poland head coach Piotr Makowski: “We had a lot of bad moments today in our game. We have to fight very hard tomorrow to be able to win the game and to have the chance to advance.”

The Czech Republic head coach Carlo Parisi: “I am really happy for the team. We needed all the power we had to beat Poland.”