Poland: PGE Skra Bełchatów end Katowice’s unbeaten Run to take over the lead after winning the advance of Round 5

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PGE GiEK Skra Bełchatów continued their impressive start to the 2026/27 Tauron Liga season by defeating fellow unbeaten side GKS Katowice 3–0 (25:18, 25:21, 26:24) in an early fixture from Round 5 on Tuesday.
The result extended Bełchatów’s winning streak to three matches, ended Katowice’s perfect record and lifted the nine-time Polish champions temporarily to the top of the standings with eight points, ahead of the remaining Round 5 fixtures.

Bełchatów set the tone immediately.
With captain and setter Grzegorz Łomacz behind the service line, the hosts raced to a 7–0 lead in the opening set, putting Katowice under pressure from the outset. The visitors gradually found their rhythm, but the early gap proved too large to overcome. French outside hitter Antoine Pothron was particularly effective, scoring six points in the first set alone, as Bełchatów closed it out 25–18.
The second set offered a more balanced contest. Katowice improved their serving and defensive work, with outside hitter Jakub Szymański providing an important attacking outlet. The visitors stayed in contention and briefly threatened to take control, but Bełchatów responded with greater consistency. Łomacz distributed the ball effectively, while the home side found crucial solutions at the net. After the score was level at 19–19, Skra won the decisive exchanges to take the set 25–21 and move within one set of victory.
The third set nearly changed the story. Katowice started aggressively and built a five-point advantage at 17–12, putting the hosts in danger of being dragged into a longer match. Bełchatów, however, refused to let the opportunity slip. The home side gradually reduced the deficit, with middle blocker Mateusz Nowak making an impact at the net, before drawing level at 19–19. The closing stages became increasingly tense, but Bełchatów held their nerve. Pothron eventually sealed the match with a direct service ace, completing the 26–24 set win and a 3–0 victory.

Pothron finished as the winners’ leading scorer with 15 points to his name, followed by Brazilian opposite Alan Souza with 12 and middle blocker Michał Szalacha with 10. Szymański led GKS Katowice with 14 points, while middle blocker Bartłomiej Krulicki added 10. Łomacz was named MVP, recognised for his setting and leadership as Bełchatów navigated the difficult moments of the match.

The victory represents another significant step for Bełchatów, who had already beaten Energa Trefl Gdańsk and surprised PGE Projekt Warszawa in their opening fixtures. Katowice, meanwhile, had made headlines by defeating reigning Polish champions Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie before adding another win against Ślepsk Malow Suwałki. Their first defeat of the campaign came against a team that combined a dominant start with composure when the match was on the line.
With the season still in its early stages, Skra have made an emphatic statement: they are not simply collecting wins, but finding ways to close out difficult sets against direct rivals. Their next challenge will be to maintain that momentum as the TAURON Liga schedule intensifies.

Tauron Liga will continue already tomorrow with the advance of Round 11 between PGE Projekt Warszawa and Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie while on Thursday, October 29, the two advances of Round 3 will be played: Energa Indykpol AZS Olsztyn will welcome ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle while, in the evening, Asseco Resovia Rzeszów will back to the court against Energa Trefl Gdańsk.

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🏐| 2026/27 Tauron Liga | Kolejka 5 – Round 5

👉🏼Tuesday October 27, 2026
• 17.30 (Local Time) | PGE GiEK SKRA Bełchatów – GKS Katowice 3-0 (25:18, 25:21, 26:24)

Saturday November 7, 2026
• TBD (Local Time) | Stilon Gorzów – ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle
• TBD (Local Time) | Podziemia Kredowe ChKS Chełm – NEONET Norwid Częstochowa

Saturday November 8, 2026
• TBD (Local Time) | Asseco Resovia Rzeszów – Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie
• TBD (Local Time) | Ślepsk Malow Suwałki – Energa Trefl Gdańsk
• TBD (Local Time) | Jastrzębie Barkom – PGE Projekt Warszawa

Sunday November 9, 2026
• TBD (Local Time) | Energa Indykpol AZS Olsztyn – BOGDANKA LUK Lublin

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🏐| STANDINGS (updated on this day)
1. PGE GiEK SKRA Bełchatów 8
2. BOGDANKA LUK Lublin 6
3. Jastrzębie Barkom 5
4. GKS Katowice 5
5. Asseco Resovia Rzeszów 4
6. PGE Projekt Warszawa 4
7. Energa Indykpol AZS Olsztyn 3
8. Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie 3
9. Stilon Gorzów 2
10. NEONET Norwid Częstochowa 2
11. Ślepsk Malow Suwałki 2
12. Podziemia Kredowe ChKS Chełm 1
13. Energa Trefl Gdańsk 0
14. ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle 0

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🏐| NEXT GAMES | Kolejka 3 – Round 3

Thursday October 29, 2026
• 17.30 (Local Time) | Energa Indykpol AZS Olsztyn – ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle
• 20.30 (Local Time) | Asseco Resovia Rzeszów – Energa Trefl Gdańsk

Friday October 30, 2026
• 20.30 (Local Time) | Ślepsk Malow Suwałki – NEONET Norwid Częstochowa

Friday October 31, 2026
• TBD (Local Time) | BOGDANKA LUK Lublin – GKS Katowice
• TBD (Local Time) | PGE GiEK SKRA Bełchatów – Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie
• TBD (Local Time) | Stilon Gorzów – PGE Projekt Warszawa

Saturday November 1, 2026
• TBD (Local Time) | Jastrzębie Barkom – Podziemia Kredowe ChKS Chełm

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