The 24th round of PlusLiga offered a true volleyball drama, full of twists, spectacular rallies, and incredible individual performances. Bogdanka LUK Lublin was on the verge of triumph, leading 2-0, but PGE Projekt Warszawa showed incredible spirit and will to win, achieving a famous success after a dramatic tie-break.
The match started at a high tempo, with the first game being contested until the very end. In the decisive moments, the hosts from Lublin demonstrated more confidence and closed the set with 25:19. The second game, however, was a real knockout for the visitors. Bogdanka LUK Lublin played textbook volleyball – their attack was almost flawless, and their block worked impeccably. The Warsaw team was crushed with a decisive 25:11, and the home players and fans could already taste victory.
The third set seemed like a mere formality – Bogdanka LUK Lublin started strong with a 6:2 lead, and PGE Projekt Warszawa looked shaken. However, this is where the incredible comeback of the visitors began. Bartłomiej Bołądź took the initiative, and the team from the capital gradually started to narrow the gap. At the end of the set, after several key rallies, the Warsaw team showed stronger nerves and won 25:23, getting back into the match.
In the fourth set, PGE Projekt Warszawa already controlled the events on the court. The team played confidently, and the attacks of Kochanowski and Semeniuk troubled the home team's defense. The visitors leveled the sets after a 25:20 win and sent the match into a tie-break.
The tie-break – a thrilling end to the volleyball battle
The decisive fifth set offered everything fans love – twists, tension, and a battle to the last ball. The Warsaw team started better and took a 5:2 lead, but Bogdanka LUK Lublin responded with a series of four consecutive points to turn the score around. In the heat of the tension, the hosts reached match point at 14:13 but missed their golden opportunity. At 15:15, PGE Projekt Warszawa showed ruthless efficiency – first, Bartłomiej Bołądź attacked powerfully, and then Mikołaj Sawicki sent the ball out. Final – 17:15 for the capital team and a victory that seemed almost impossible at the beginning of the third set.
Impressive performance by Alex Grozdanov
Despite the defeat, one of the heroes of the evening was the Bulgarian international Alex Grozdanov. The middle blocker of Bogdanka LUK Lublin played a truly strong match, finishing with 11 points – 1 ace, 3 blocks, and an exceptional 70% attacking efficiency. His performances at the net created huge difficulties for PGE Projekt Warszawa's offense, and his key blocks kept the hosts in the game until the last moment.
Bogdanka LUK Lublin – PGE Projekt Warszawa 2-3 (25:19, 25:11, 23:25, 20:25, 15:17)
MVP of the match: Damian Wojtaszek
Lineups:
LUK:Nowakowski (7), Komenda (2), Sawicki (21), Leon (29), Grozdanov (11), Sasak (14), Hoss (libero), McCarthy, Cirek, Malinowski (2)
Projekt:Kochanowski (12), Firlej (2), Brandt (6), Bołądź (17), Semeniuk (16), Szalpuk (14), Wojtaszek (libero), Borkowski, Tilly (7), Wrona (1)
With the point gained from the match, Bogdanka LUK Lublin maintained their fourth position in the standings with 48 points – just one ahead of their pursuers ZAKSA. PGE Projekt Warszawa, for its part, continues to solidify its place among the leading teams, now having 54 points and remaining in third position.
The battle for the top spots in PlusLiga is becoming increasingly fierce, and this match only proved that many more dramatic clashes await us until the end of the season.
