The top ofPlusLigais entering a decisive phase and could see a new distribution as early as this weekend. Bogdanka LUK Lublin and PGE Project Warsaw – the two main contenders for first place – face tough challenges, especially at a time when the champions from Lublin are shaken by alarming news concerning their leader, Kevan Sasak.
Sasak's problem came to the forefront after Lublin's sensational loss to the last-place team – InPost CKS Chelm. In that match, the Polish Cup MVP started as a regular, but only played in the first set, after which he left the court for non-sports reasons. At the time, it seemed like a precautionary measure, but today it's clear – his shoulder pain is serious and has been accumulating since the end of 2025.
The busy schedule after winning the Polish Cup did not allow Stefan Antiga's team to recover, and the risk of the problem worsening forces the staff to consider a temporary break for the opposite hitter.
In Sasak's potential absence, Mateusz Malinowski is being prepared to take on the main attacking load. However, this means a significant change in Lublin's game balance, right before one of the toughest away games of the season.
Who and when the top contenders play (Bulgarian time)
Skra Bełchatów – Bogdanka LUK Lublin
Saturday, January 17, 3:45 PMAsseco Resovia Rzeszów – PGE Project Warsaw
Sunday, January 18, 7:30 PM
Both matches are against teams from the top six, which makes the round extremely important not only for the top spot but also for the entire medal battle.
Standings before the round
| Place | Team | Matches | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PGE Project Warsaw | 15 | 34 |
| 2 | Bogdanka LUK Lublin | 15 | 32 |
| 3 | Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie | 15 | 30 |
| 4 | Asseco Resovia Rzeszów | 15 | 29 |
| 6 | PGE GIEK Skra Bełchatów | 14 | 27 |
The difference between first and second is only two points, and their opponents this weekend are directly involved in the fight for the top 4. A victory for Warsaw, combined with a mistake by Lublin, could open up a gap at the top. The opposite scenario would return the champions to the lead and further tighten the standings.
Bogdanka's situation is further complicated by the fact that Lublin continues its battle in European tournaments as well, leaving almost no room for rest and rotations. This accumulation is precisely at the root of Sasak's problem – not a mechanical injury, but purely functional overload.
This round is not just another one on the calendar. This is the moment when the top could be shaken. Bogdanka enters the battle with a question mark around its leader, Warsaw is looking for a mistake, but it too faces a serious obstacle. In PlusLiga, sometimes one set, one point, or one decision about rest can prove decisive for the fate of first place.
photos: Nikolay Varadinov
