In a dramatic semifinal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Poland secured an exciting 3-2 (25:23, 25:27, 14:25, 25:23, 15:13) victory over the United States, overturning a 1-2 deficit and performing a spectacular comeback from a 4-point deficit in the fourth set, and they did it after 2 hours and 27 minutes of play.
Despite injuries to two starters, libero Paweł Zatorski and setter Marcin Janusz (in addition to already injured Sliwka), Poland, under the guidance of head coach Nikola Grbić, managed to win the great fourth set and claimed also the decisive tie-break.
Poland’s standout performers included Wilfredo Leon with 26 points, well supported by Norbert Huber (15), Tomasz Fornal (13), and Bartosz Kurek (11).
The US team saw strong performances from Matthew Anderson (24), Aaron Russell (20), Maxwell Holt (12), and Thomas Jaeschke (10).
Poland will face the winner of the Italy and France game in the final for Gold.
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🏐| Volleyball Olympic Games – Paris 2024 | Wednesday, August 7, 2024
16.00 (Local Time) | Poland – USA 3-2 (25:23, 25:27, 14:25, 25:23, 15:13)
Poland: Fornal 13, Huber 15, Kurek 11, Leon 26, Kochanowski 8, Janusz, Zatorski (L), Kaczmarek, Lomacz, Semeniuk, Boladz 2. Ne.: Sliwka. Coach. Grbic.
USA: Russell 25, Holt, Anderson 24, Defalco 4, Averill 8, Holt 12, E.Shoji (L). Ma’a, Muagututia, Jaeschke 10. N.e.: Jendryk, Smith. Coach. Speraw.
20.00 (Local Time) | Italy – France 0-3 (20:25, 21:25, 21:25)
Italy: Romanò 10, Lavia 8, Michieletto 7, Russo 9, Galassi 5, Giannelli 2, Balaso (L), Sbertoli, Bovolenta, Porro 2, Sanguinetti, Bottolo. Coach. De Giorgi.
France: Ngapeth 15, Clevenot 17, Patry 9, Chinenyeze 6, Le Goff 4, Brizard 3, Grebennikov (L), Toniutti, Tillie, Louati 1, Faure, Jouffroy. Coach. Giani.
🏐| NEXT GAMES
Friday, August 9, 2024 | Bronze Medal Match
16.00 (Local Time) | Italy – USA
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Saturday, August 10, 2024 | Gold Medal Match
13.00 (Local Time) | France – Poland
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