The Polish national team will face Italy in the final of the Volleyball Nations League. The stakes - not just the title in the most prestigious annual tournament, but alsothe leadership in the FIVB world ranking. This is reported by our colleagues from siatka.org.
The match in Ningbo (China) starts at 2:00 PM Bulgarian time, and will determine not only who will be champion, but also who will take first place in the world ranking - a position that brings prestige, strategic advantage in draws, and significant psychological importance before the Olympic Games.
Balance before the final:
Polandis No. 1 in the world with 390.90 points
Italyis No. 2 with 377.26 points
The difference between the two teams is only13.64 points
This difference can be overturned today:
An Italian victory with3:0will bring them+10.76, and Poland will have the same points deducted
If it's3:1 for Italy, the shift will still happen - Italy takes+8.26, and Poland loses so much
Victory with 3:2 for Italy will bring +5.76 points, but will not be enough to change the leader
In other words, only a 3:0 or 3:1 victory will make Italy #1 in the world. A victory for Poland, regardless of the result, will solidify its position at the top.
Grbic: "It will be difficult, but I believe in the boys"
Poland's coach Nikola Grbic admits that it will not be easy against Italy:
"We are playing against one of the best teams in the world. It will be difficult, but we have our chances. We will do everything possible to win."
The coach did not hide his satisfaction with the performance of the new names in the squad:
"It's fantastic how Havryliuk (Pivko) performs, how Nowak performs, what Kevin Sasak shows, how Komenda directs the game. These are boys we haven't used in such matches before. I hope they manage to forget what happened today and repeat their performance on Sunday."
Why is this match more than a final?
It is rare for two such strong teams not only to play for the title, but also to directly determine who will be number 1 in the world. Poland and Italy are among the most consistent volleyball powers in the last decade. And it is precisely such matches – with a double stake – that distinguish champions from good teams.
photo: siatka.org
