After a two-year hiatus, the Polish national volleyball team returned to the top of the VNL. The "red-and-white" won the Nations League, and did so emphatically - with a 3-0 (25:10, 25:17, 25:13) victory against Italy in the final. Despite health problems in the team, the squad led by Nikola Grbic left no chances for the "Azzurri", led by Ferdinando De Giorgi.

First Set: Leon Wakes Up at the Most Important Moment

Poland started the final strongly, led by the powerful play of Wilfredo Leon. After an early 3:1 in their favor, Italy managed to equalize at 3:3 through Kamil Rychlicki. An even game followed until the middle of the set, when Leon, Semeniuk, and the Polish block gave them a 13:9 lead. Italy came back with a good run, led by Daniele Lavia, and the score became 14:14. After that, however, the Polish block woke up - a successful intervention on an attack by Kevin Sasak and an out by Michieletto led to 18:16. Leon took control at the end - both in attack and from serve - and Semeniuk closed the set with a point for 25:21.

Second Set: Fornal is Out, But Semeniuk Shines

The second set started with a series of attacks by Leon and a quick 3:0. Italy temporarily reduced the deficit to 4:3 through Rychlicki, but the powerful Polish block and the flawless Leon again secured an advantage - 11:6. Michieletto brought the Italians back to 13:12, but an ace from Jakubiszak and a distribution error by the "Azzurri" restored the lead - 16:12. Until the end, the Poles controlled everything - errors by Italy, attacks by Semeniuk and Jakubiszak, and another weak serve by Porro made it 25:17 and 2:0.

Third Set: Complete Domination in the Third Set

The last set was a display of strength - excellent blocking and effective attacks by Leon and Semeniuk led to 10:5. The difference reached seven points (17:10), and the Italians seemed to have no answer. After another series of errors by the "Azzurri" and successful attacks from the center, Szymon Jakubiszak ended the final - 25:13 and the title went to Warsaw.

FINAL: ITALY - POLAND 0:3
(21:25, 17:25, 13:25)

Line-ups:
Italy:Michieletto (7), Giannelli (1), Rychlicki (4), Galassi (4), Lavia (11), Anzani (3), Balaso (libero), Bottolo (3), Romano (3), Porro (1), Sbertoli, Gargiulo, Pace (libero)
Poland:Komenda (3), Leon (16), Kochanowski (7), Semeniuk (14), Sasak (6), Nowak, Popiwczak (libero), Bednorz, Jakubiszak (4)

photos:volleyballworld.com