Poland went through its first four matches at the European Championship without losing a set, but in the camp of the European champions, the most serious test in Group B is expected to come against Bulgaria.
The two teams meet tonight at 7:00 PM in "Arena 8888 Sofia", and the Poles are already assured of first place in the group. Nikola Grbić's team successively defeated Portugal, Israel, North Macedonia, and Ukraine, with all four matches ending with a 3:0 score.
"Bulgaria is a very dangerous opponent"
Poland's setter Marcin Komenda, however, does not expect an easy final match in the group stage. To TVP Sport, he emphasized both the qualities of the Bulgarian team and the "Arena 8888 Sofia" factor.
"A very difficult match with Bulgaria awaits us on Wednesday. They are a very dangerous opponent. In front of their fans, I think they will want to perform well, so I expect a tough game," Komenda said.
The Polish international sees serious similarities between Bulgaria's play and that of Ukraine, whom Poland defeated 3:0 in their previous match.
"I think Bulgaria's strength is very similar to Ukraine's - strong serve, risk in attack, so that's exactly what we should expect. We have our strengths and I think we will try to show them in Wednesday's match," added the setter.
The Poles pay attention to Simeon Nikolov
In Poland, special attention before the match has also been paid to Simeon Nikolov. The 19-year-old setter is highlighted as one of the main figures in Gianlorenzo Blengini's squad and as a player who is having a strong European Championship.
Komenda and Nikolov play in the same position, which adds another interesting individual highlight to the upcoming match.
Poland comes after four consecutive 3:0 victories
The European champions have been flawless in Sofia so far. Four matches, four victories, and not a single lost set allowed Nikola Grbić's team to secure first place in Group B even before the match with Bulgaria.
After the victory over Ukraine, Komenda was particularly pleased with the Poles' performance in the second set.
"The second set was a concert from our side. This is pleasing because it shows that we are in good physical and technical shape, as well as mentally. A valuable match that showed us where we stand," he commented.
For Bulgaria, the stakes remain high
Unlike Poland, Bulgaria has something to change in the final standings with their last match. With a 3:0 or 3:1 victory over the European champion, our national team will overtake Ukraine and finish in second place in Group B.
The final ranking is also important for the round of 16, as Group B crosses with Group D according to the scheme B1–D4, B2–D3, B3–D2, and B4–D1.
Poland already knows that as group winner they will face the fourth-placed team from Group D, where Turkey and Latvia are in a direct battle for the position.
For Bulgaria, however, the toughest test in the group is yet to come - against the European champion and a team that, after its first four matches in Sofia, has not yet lost a single set.