Poland and Switzerland took the stage at 8:30 pm local time to begin their fight. Three double-European Champions lead the Polish team in the starting line-up. The match began with the play maintaining on a point-by-point basis until Katarzyna Skowronska-Dolata of Poland stepped into the serving position helping her team get the four-point advantage at the first TTO. They later increased the advantage to impressive 13 points at 20-7 and did not give the opponents a chance. Poland took the set 25-14.
Switzerland started the next set highly concentrated and managet to score a two-point lead at 4-2. Nevertheless, the hosts quickly regained focus and jumped ahead to 10-6, thanks to some powerfull spikes and good block. They maintained on top throughout and showed their domination by picking up the set 25-15. It was clear that Poland had the advantage of experience and height over the opponents.
The last set was just a formality. The hosts once again quickly gained a large advantage (even 10 points at 14-4) and refused to lose their grip on it until the end of the set, which they took 25-9 and the entire match 3-0. They were superior in every element, especially in block and serve.
“The Polish team showed us what is the level of one of the world's best teams,” said Switzerland head coach Timothy Lippuner. “They played with a lot of power and served very well, they scored series of points with the latter. It was a great opportunity for us to learn.”
On Saturday Belgium will face Switzerland (5:30 pm local time), while Spain will take on the hosts, Poland (8:30 pm local time).