Serbia's Uros Kovacevic Serbia spikes against Poland's triple block
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 17, 2015 – Serbia needed to be at their very best to beat Poland 3-2 (18-25, 25-22, 22-25, 25-22, 15-13) in the FIVB Volleyball World League at the Maracanãzinho Arena on Friday, a result that ensures both teams progress to Saturday’s semifinals.
Serbia led the scoring with Aleksandar Atanasijevic’s 27 points, but it is Poland who qualify in first place to set up a semifinal against France, while Serbia will play defending champions the USA. Italy join hosts Brazil in exiting the competition.
Poland started in furious form and focused their attack around Rafal Busek, before Piotr Nowakowski struck from the middle to win the set. Serbia fought back and drew level in the second in which Atanasijevic’s spiking made the difference.
In the third set Poland did their best to stretch away from Serbia, but each time Serbia fought back to close down their lead. Eventually, with Bartosz Kurek in good form the world champions took a 2-1 advantage by winning the third set.
The fourth set became a battle between Atanasijevic and Kurek, with the two hitters taking their point‘s totals to 20 each, but was Serbia who won the set to draw level. Serbia continued their form into the tie-break and with their block giving them the advantage, an Aleksandar Okolic ace won the match.