Poland
Poland’s Bartosz Kurek was named the MVP of the match with 27 points.
The first set started well for Poland as they quickly gained three-point advantage (8-5 at the first TTO). They remained ahead throughout the set forcing Argentina’s head coach Javier Weber to make some replacements at 17-16 for the Poles. After that they managed to level the score at 24-24 giving the spectators a real thriller. In the end it was Poland who took the set 26-24.
In the beginning of set two, the play maintained on a point-by-point basis up until the first TTO (Poland leading 8-7) after which Argentina jumped ahead to 14-9. The hosts clearly had lost their focus and made many errors, leading to coach Andrea Anastasi changing setters (Fabian Drzyzga replaced Lukasz Zygadlo). Nevertheless, they were unable to catch the opponent and Argentina easily picked up the second set 25-19, setting the overall score at 1-1.
Argentina carried the momentum from the previous set and quickly jumped ahead to 7-1 at the beginning of the next one, which lead to Jakub Jarosz to replace Zbigniew Bartman as a wing-spiker in team Poland. The guests remained in control over the game and the rest of the set was a display of the Argentinian domination. They won 25-19 and took the lead in the match 2-1.
In set four, Jakub Jarosz stayed on the court, as he was the best scorer for Poland in the previous one. The White-Reds began strongly motivated and determined to level the overall score. They gained a seven-point lead (16-9) thanks to FIVB Hero Bartosz Kurek and his powerful serves, which gave the guests much trouble. Poland was unstoppable and took the set 25-17 setting the overall score at 2-2.
The play in the final set was very fierce, but the Poles jumped ahead when Kurek started serving again at 6-3. They increased the advantage to five points at the first TTO and the rest of the set showed the White-Red power. They won the set 15-8 ant the entire match 3-2.
Both teams will meet again on Sunday, June 30, at 8:15pm local time.
To read more news from this competition click on World League 2013 M.
