Captain Michal Kubiak celebrates as Poland beat Russia
Kazan, Russia, June 19, 2015 - After dropping the opening set World Champions Poland dominated Russia to win 3-1 (30-32, 25-14, 25-22, 25-18) in Pool B of FIVB World League.
Great defence and blocking coupled with erratic Polish serving helped Russia open the match with an 8-3 lead. Poland were able to recover quickly taking a one-point advantage at the second technical time-out. There was no separating the two sides, as they traded set points before Russia managed to win two in a row and claim the set, 32-30. The second set was a quick affair as Poland dominated from the beginning and won the set easily, 25-14.
Russia were able to re-group before the third set, which proved as exciting as the first. Poland took an 8-5 lead, but Russia quickly came back at 10-all. Both teams were even until, at 23-22 for Poland, two consecutive errors made by Russian players handed the third set to the visitors.
The fourth set resembled the second with Poland leading the way from the beginning. Great attack from Bartosz Kurek and captain Michal Kubiak led Poland to a comfortable 25-18 victory in the set. Russia will have a chance to earn their first win of the 2015 FIVB World League as the teams meet again tomorrow.
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