VNL 2023: Poland first finalist! Japan defeated in four sets!

Poland is the first finalist of 2023 Volleyball Nations League, also thanks to more than 10 thousand fans who support the hosts in a great comeback from a set down against a combative Japan to celebrate a 3-1 (19:25, 28:26, 25:17, 25:21) victory.
But not only, as they also secured their fourth consecutive medal in the competition, after winning bronze in 2019 and 2022, and silver in 2021!

📸| PHOTOGALLERY OF THE MATCH

Poland played wothout Bartosz Kurek, while outside hitter Wilfredo Leon was not among the starters, but entered the court during the first set to eventually led his team to success. In fact, the Cuban-born superstar was the top scorer of the match with 23 points, including two blocks, and an impressive 72% in attack!
Decisive also opposite Lukasz Kaczmarek, who also contributed with four of Poland’s nine kill blocks, also leaving the court with 19 points to his name, while outside hitter Aleksander Siwka added another 14.
Captain Yuki Ishikawa was again the top scorer of Japan with four of his team’s eight aces and 22 points, while fellow outside hitter Ran Takahashi scored 16 points including three aces and opposite Kento Miyaura added 13 points, all in attack.

Japan started the game with a great first sets, marked with Ran Takahashi behind the service line and a great series of six points in a row, that is worth the 15-9 lead.
Wilfredo Leon’s entrance stop the Japanese run, but it was not enough for the home team to complete a comeback in this set, as the rivals were able to keep the control of the game, with Miyaura who put down the ball of 25-19.
Poland don’t give up, and opened an early lead in the second set, 10-5, even if Japan managed to catch up at 18-18. They also denied a couple of set points before wasting one of their own and, eventually, Mateusz Bieniek’s serving proved decisive in helping Poland to close the thrilling set at 28-26 with a point from Lukasz Kaczmarek.
Taking advantage from the amazing Polish fans on the stands, the hosts started the third set very strong putting down the ball of 8-2, and never looked back.
Their lead reached also the +10 and, although captain Yuki Ishikawa served a couple of aces in a row, it was too late to start a desperate a comeback.
To close the set is an attack by Norbert Huber, with a clear 25-17.
Japan scored the first break points of the fourth set, but nothing to do, as then came five points in a row on Aleksander Sliwka’s turn to serve that is worth 10-5 lead for Poland.
The Asians tried to react, but Leon is on fire in attack and the Europeans managed to keep their advantage, until Sliwka put down the ball of decisive 25-21 to end the match!

In Gran Finale, scheduled tomorrow at 8pm Local Time, Poland will face USA, who literally destroyed world champions Italy in the evening.

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🏐| 2023 VOLLEYBALL NATIONS LEAGUE

— July 22, 2022 @ Gdansk 🇵🇱 —

👉🏼 SEMIFINAL 1 | 17:00 (Local Time) | Japan – Poland 1-3 (25:19, 26:28, 17:25, 21:25)
| PHOTOGALLERY OF THE MATCH