Yesterday finals of World Championships in Poland may have surprised some people. Poland gets title in front of countrymen beating Brazil 3-1. Bronze for Germany after win in straight sets.
Small Final:
France – Germany 0-3 (21-25 24-26 23-25) Duration: 1:38′
France: Toniutti, N’gapeth (11), Le Roux (6), Rouzier (12), Tillie (7), Le Goff (5), Grebennikov (L) and Marechal, Sidibe (3), Jaumel Germany: Kampa, Schwarz (12), Böhme (4), Grozer (19), Kaliberda (13), Broshog (7), Steuerwald (L) and Schöps, Kühner, Fromm
First minutes of the bronze medal match brought Germany’s 3-0 into the lead. With fine Tim Broshog, Sebastian Schwarz and Denys Kaliberda’s spikes, they managed to keep the advantage before the first technical timeout (8-6). After the break, Germany kept the good passing and played well in defence which resulted in staying 11-9 ahead. But then France started the chase. They presented difficult to pass serves and after Antonin Rouzier’s kill, they caught up at 11-11 and forced Vital Heynen to call timeout. The break helped Germany to regain focus and the fine blocks by Sebastian Schwarz and Tim Broshog put them 14-12 ahead. As Germany stayed focused, France with some mistakes couldn’t find a way to change the scores. After Schwarz’s left-wing spike, the distance widened to three points (23-20) and stayed till the end of the set, finishing 25-21 with an ace served by György Grozer.
The second set opened with France’s advance (3-1). However, the lead didn’t last long, as Grozer started his spike series and put Germany 5-4 ahead. France tried their best and put all their efforts in digging Germany’s kills and playing efficient counter-attacks, but they were Germany, who came off the court for the technical timeout leading 8-7. When the distance grew up to three points (14-11) after Grozer’s kill, France started taking touch. Kevin Le Roux with a fine spike and Earvin Ngapeth’s two aces in a row helped France to jump 16-15 ahead. As both teams knew they were playing high stakes, the game continued on a point-by-point basis. After an efficient block of Nicolas Le Goff, France’s lead grew to two points (19-17). Nonetheless, Germany’s aggressive serves caused another twist as the scoreboards showed their 22-21 leading. The ending of the second set was a series of serve errors from both sides, but finally Kaliberda’s spike finished the set 26-24 for Germany.
After winning the first two sets the confidence was on Germany’s side of the court as they gained a 5-4 lead. However, France knew it was the last chance to stay in the game, so they weren’t about to quit. With Kevin Tillie’s spike, three-coloured tried to catch up, but they were Germany, who led 8-7 at the first technical timeout. They managed to increase this advance, making a use of the opponent’s mistakes and building a fine triple block. Antonin Rouzier did his best to take touch before the first technical timeout (15-13), but another block by Sebastian Schwarz and Marcus Böhme put Germany 16-13 ahead. Vital Heynen’s players stayed focused till the end of the third set, which helped them in displaying some astonishing digs. György Grozer failed the first match ball with his spike out of bounds but Denys Kaliberda finished the set 25-23 and Germany celebrated their bronze medal.
Final:
Brazil – Poland 1-3 (25-18 22-25 23-25 22-25) Duration: 2:12′
Brazil: Bruno (3), Murilo (8), Lucas (15), Wallace (18), Lucarelli (18), Sidao (7), Mario Junior (L), Felipe Silva (L) and Visotto (2), Raphael, Felipe Fonteles, Eder Poland: Drzyzga, Winiarski (13), Nowakowski (10), Wlazły (14), Mika (22), Kłos (5), Zatorski (L) and Konarski (2), Zagumny, Kubiak
The gold medal match opened with a fierce attitude from both sides. After great pass of aggressive Brazil’s serve, Poland were able to play a hard spike and Karol Kłos put hosts 3-2 ahead. From that moment on, the Canarinhos started to run away. Double block and one efficient Lucarelli’s spike helped them to build an 8-4 lead at the first technical timeout. An astonishing game with some marvellous digs finished by Mariusz Wlazły at 9-6 was enthusiastically experienced by almost 14,000 spectators gathered at Spodek Hall in Katowice. Due to their powerful serves, Brazil extended the distance to five points (13-8) and forced Stephane Antiga to call a timeout. Controlling the game, Brazil with the efficient block by Wallace and Lucas increased the distance to 18-11 ahead, putting big pressure on the host team. Going confidently to the late part of the set, Brazil finished it 25-18.
As host Poland regained focus, they built 2-0 advance at the beginning of the second set, after Piotr Nowakowski’s kill down the middle and double block by Nowakowski and Mateusz Mika. Efficient play in spikes followed by another fine block put Poland 4-1 ahead. Brazil’s Murilo finished a great attack but the host’s lead was kept (6-3). However, Lucarelli with his left-wing spike scored for a 7-7 evened score, making the second set as exciting as it could be. When Poland regained their dominance (10-7), Bernardo Rezende decided to stop fine serve series by Karol Kłos, but pumping-up hosts didn’t stop- making a use of the opponent’s mistakes and playing well with blocks, they increased the leading to six points (17-11). When Bruno came at the serve line, Brazil started to catch up and did it effectively, as the scoreboards showed 17-17. From that moment, game continued on a point-by-point basis and they were Poland who managed to keep patience and finished the second set 25-22.
Continuing their way from the previous set, Poland built a 2-0 advantage at the beginning with their fine opposite and efficient blockers. After a fine Bruno’s dink and using some confusion on the Poland’s side, Brazil managed to catch up at 5-5, but the first technical timeout arrived with the white-and-reds 8-7 leading. The emotions that fulfilled Spodek Hall in the previous set were definitely taken to the third one as it was very balanced and tough as the gold medal match should be. With Winiarski and Wlazły on Poland’s wings against Wallace and Lucarelli of Brazil, the game was battled point-by-point and at 15-15 Wlazły’s kill put Poland 16-15 ahead. After a fine Wlazły’s block on Vissotto, at 18-16 Bernardo Rezende decided to call timeout. Vissotto’s and Lucarelli’s spikes followed by Wlazły’s mistake helped Brazil witch catching up at 23-23, but finally Poland won the third set 25-23 after Brazil’s attacking error.
It was a well balanced game during the beginning of the fourth set a result of great passing by both teams while displaying powerful serves almost all the time. At 5-5, Winiarski’s left-wing kill put the hosts one point ahead. Mateusz Mika’s mistake was followed by his fine spike that sent Poland to the lead at the first technical timeout. Their advantage grew to two points (11-9), however, two simple mistakes caused an even 11-11 and forced Poland’s coach to stop the winning streak of Brazil by calling a timeout. This short break helped the host team as they managed to jump 15-13 ahead after Mateusz Mika’s fine dink. After the second technical timeout, Brazil run away for two points (19-17), after a fine block of Lucas and Lucarelli. Poland with Michal Winiarski’s kill caught up at 21-21 and won the gold medal after the 25-22 score in the fourth set.
Individual Awards (from left to right): Best Setter: Lukas Kampa (Germany) Best Outside Hitter 1: Ricardo Lucarelli (Brazil) Best Outside Hitter 2: Murilo Endres (Brazil) Best Middle Blocker 1: Marcus Böhme (Germany) Best Middle Blocker 2: Karol Kłos (Poland) Best Libero: Jenia Grebennikov (France) Best Opposite: Mariusz Wlazły (Poland) Most Valuable Player: Mariusz Wlazły (Poland)
Wasn't able to see any of the matches yesterday but Indy Baijens as MVP is just a dream come true most attack points (10) from all the team! (Carol with 9 and 5 blocks tho, also a killer performance). Guess I'll have to focus on Champions League to see…
