In front of 4300 spectators, Asseco Resovia took partial revenge for the loss in the Polish Cup final and defeated at home the champion and trophy holder Bogdanka LUK Lublin with a score of 3:2 (20:25, 25:18, 25:21, 22:25, 15:8).
The great hero for the hosts was Poland's national player Artur Szalpuk, who played a phenomenal match – 28 points and deservedly won the MVP award.
The captain of our national team, Alex Grozdanov, also left an excellent impression – 8 points, +7, 1 ace, 2 blocks, 45% in attack, and 27% efficiency.
On the other side, star Wilfredo Leon had a more hesitant day and finished with 16 points, while the most effective player for the guests was the Frenchman Elie Henno with 19 points. The guests continue to have injury problems, as their third middle blocker, Guillerme, was out of the squad.
Match Development
First Set: 20:25
The guests took a 0:1 lead, utilizing their better block-defense and a more even distribution of attack between Henno, Walczak, and Leon. Bogdanka set the pace and managed to withstand the hosts' pressure.
Second Set: 25:18
In the second set, the roles were reversed – Resovia improved its blocking and attack efficiency, and the lead was built up early in the middle of the set. Key performances came from Szalpuk, as well as support from Loati, Demianenko, and Butryn.
Third Set: 25:21
Resovia once again dictated the pace, and Szalpuk electrified the hall with 10 points in this set, including 1 ace and 1 block.
Bogdanka stayed close – at 17:16 after an ace from Grozdanov and at 21:20 after an attack by Henno, but the finish belonged to the hosts: at 23:21 Leon attacked out, then made a receiving error, and Resovia closed the set for a 2:1 lead.
Fourth Set: 22:25
Here Leon reminded everyone of his presence – he scored 6 points, including an ace, and Bogdanka applied serious pressure from serve (3 aces against 0 for Resovia in the set).
The key turnaround came after 10:9 for the hosts – a series of 4 consecutive points followed for the guests, which gave them "breathing room." Resovia closed in at 16:17, but a block and an ace returned control to Bogdanka. The guests reached set point first, Szalpuk reduced the deficit with his 24th point, but a serve into the net sent the match into a tie-break.
Fifth Set: 15:8
The tie-break started with momentum for Resovia – an ace from Demianenko and a block against Leon. Bogdanka equalized at 2:2, but then allowed a run of points that tilted the scales.
Henno brought the score level at 5:5 and 6:6, but from then on, the hosts "locked down" the match – Szalpuk led the team to 8:6, a new ace followed for 9:6, and Demianenko added points from attack and block for 11:7. Until the end, the guests took only one more point, and Szalpuk and Butryn finished what they started. Symbolically, the MVP ended the match with an ace on Leon.
Key Match Statistics
Aces: 7 – 8
Positive reception: 38% – 41% (in favor of Bogdanka)
Block: 16 – 11 (in favor of Resovia)
Points from opponent's errors: 26 – 32 (in favor of Bogdanka)
Brief analysis
The statistics suggested an advantage for Bogdanka in serving and a slight edge in reception, as well as more points from opponent's errors. The real picture, however, was different – Resovia won the battle at the net (16 blocks) and had a clear leader in key moments. In the tie-break, the difference was decisive – the hosts were more mentally stable and more effective in their finishing attacks, while Bogdanka "faded" after 6:6.
Standings implications
This is Bogdanka's 6th loss, which sends them to second position, with a real possibility of dropping to third place by the end of the round if Warsaw defeats Gdańsk.
photos: plusliga.pl
