Poland’s Delecta BYDGOSZCZ could fight their way back after suffering a 0-3 away defeat last week in Serbia to claim the 1/4 final return game with Radnicki KRAGUJEVAC (25-20, 25-17, and 25-19) and also the golden set that followed (15-11) to make it to the semis of the 2013 CEV Volleyball Challenge Cup – Men and play there the winner of the clash starring Ural UFA of Russia and Galatasaray ISTANBUL.
The home side – that last week had traveled to Serbia only with some young players – started out very strong (8:3) with Andrzej Wrona and Dawid Konarski on fire right from the beginning of the game. They stood out in every single fundamental and Delecta enjoyed a comfortable lead (18:11) after the second technical time-out via a block stamped by team captain Wojciech Jurkiewicz. The home guys did not dissipate this advantage though Vladimir Cedic tried to trigger a possible comeback for the guests from Serbia and Mateusz Wika finished it off at 25-20.
The opening of the second set was more balanced with Nemanja Radovic pacing Radnicki in offense but eventually the home side mentored by Piotr Makowski could find their pace moving to the front at 14:10. Delecta imposed their quality and could cruise to a speedy 25-17 that was sealed by Marcin Walinski.
Michal Masny powered a 4:1 early lead for Delecta in set three and though Radnicki could draw level halfway through, the home guys showed good composure and remained focused up to the end (25-19) hence calling for the golden set.
This started like a neck-to-neck race but eventually Stéphane Antiga took Delecta by the hand as he moved the score up to 13:11, Radnicki could not fight back anymore and the 15-11 opened the door for the semis to the guys from Bydgoszcz.