In their final match of the second tournament of the Volleyball Nations League in Fukuoka, Japan, the Polish men’s volleyball team faced off against Brazil. The Brazilian team, known as the „Canaries,” showcased their exceptional form, defeating Poland 3-1 (25:21, 25:17, 21:25, 25:23). Despite a strong roster, including Aleksander Śliwka and Bartosz Bednorz, Poland struggled to find their rhythm against the formidable Brazilian squad.
Brazil’s Commanding Start
The match began with evenly matched play, reaching 4:4 and 6:6 early on. However, Brazil quickly established a three-point lead, prompting Poland’s coach Nikola Grbić to call a timeout at 7:10. Unfortunately, Poland’s issues with serve reception and execution allowed Brazil to extend their lead to 15:11. Despite efforts from Aleksander Śliwka and Bartosz Kurek, Brazil maintained their advantage, ending the first set 25:21. The second set mirrored the first, with Brazil’s powerful serves and attacks putting Poland on the defensive, ultimately winning 25:17.
Poland Fights Back Amid Controversy
In a bid to turn the tide, Poland made several lineup changes for the third set, introducing Bartosz Kurek, Kamil Semeniuk, Tomasz Fornal, and Karol Kłos. These adjustments paid off, with Poland taking an early lead at 4:3. A controversial challenge, which initially seemed to favor Poland, ended in a replay of the point and a yellow card for Grbić. This incident galvanized the Polish team, leading to an 11:8 advantage. Fornal’s exceptional play helped Poland clinch the set 25:21, narrowing the overall score to 2-1.
Brazil Seals the Match
The fourth set saw Brazil regain control, leading 7:5 early on. Despite a spirited effort from Poland, including notable plays from Kurek and Semeniuk, Brazil’s consistent performance and powerful blocks secured their lead. A monster block on Kurek highlighted Brazil’s dominance, finishing the set 25:23 and winning the match 3-1.
