Champion Bogdanka continues its shaky start to the season after suffering another home defeat – this time 2:3 (25:20, 25:19, 23:25, 22:25, 13:15) against Asseco Resovia. The match marked the return to the hall of former Lublin coach Massimo Botti, who managed to lead his new team to a complete comeback from 0:2 to 3:2.
The start – Bogdanka's dominance in the first two sets.
The first two sets were dictated by Bogdanka – stable reception, effective play through the middle, and control over the rhythm. The hosts closed the sets with 25:20 and 25:19 and seemed confident they would finish the match in three sets.
The comeback started from the third set.
The third set, however, proved to be a turning point. Resovia played more aggressively on serve, and in attack, Polish international Karol Butryn began finding gaps in the champions' block. Bogdanka led until the middle of the set, but the visitors turned it around and won 25:23, bringing back the intrigue.
The fourth set was crucial – even until 19:20, when Dmytro Demianenko landed two consecutive attacks, and then Loati added another. At 20:23, Enno made a service error, giving the visitors set point. McCarthy revived hopes with an ace for 22:24, but the subsequent faulty serve sent the match into a tie-break.
Tie-break – strong start and nerves of steel for Resovia.
Resovia started the fifth set explosively – 0:3, and by the court change, the lead was already 4:8. Demianenko continued to alternate blocks and attacks, not allowing Bogdanka to easily get back into the game.
Alex Grozdanov reduced the difference to three points, and the first successful block against Butryn in the match brought the score to 11:13. Canadian Demianenko gave match point for 11:14, McCarthy reduced it to 12:14, and a second consecutive block against Butryn led to 13:14. But it was Butryn – the strongest on the court – who closed the match with the final attack.
Heroes and disappointments.
Polish international Karol Butryn from the winners was above all – 27 points, 2 blocks, and 46% attack efficiency, and it was he who took responsibility in the key moments.
Also outstanding in the match was Canadian middle blocker Dmytro Demianenko from the visitors, who finished with 16 points, 3 blocks, and an impressive 86% efficiency. There was almost no situation where he could be stopped.
For Bogdanka, Kevin Sasak finished with the most points – 18 points, 5 blocks, and 42% efficiency, but his efforts were not enough.
An exceptionally weak match for star Wilfredo Leon – only 14 points, 1 ace from 22 serves, 3 service errors, 1 block, and a shocking 10% attack efficiency, uncharacteristic for him.
Our national team captain Alex Grozdanov finished with 9 points, 1 ace, 3 blocks, and 44% attack efficiency.
Standings and consequences.
The third loss in six matches sent champions Bogdanka to fourth place. Resovia, on the other hand, continues its perfect run – only wins and a game less, which puts them in third position, but with excellent prospects to top the table.
