Bogdanka LUK Lublin were eliminated from the Champions League Final Four, despite winning the return leg against PGE Projekt Warszawa with a 3:2 score (21:25, 18:25, 25:22, 32:30, 15:12). The Polish champion, however, lost the battle in the first two sets, which proved decisive for the capital team's advancement.
The guests from Warszawa demonstrated composure and efficiency at the start of the match. In the first set, they overturned an early deficit and with better block and serve organization, reached 25:21.
In the second set, the scenario repeated – an even start, but a stronger game from Projekt in the key rallies led to 25:18 and guaranteed their qualification for the Final Four even before the midpoint of the match.
Bulgarian national player Aleksandar Grozdanov remained on the court for only two sets, in which he scored 3 points, including 2 successful blocks.
After losing the second set, coach Stéphane Antiga made extensive changes – Mateusz Malinowski, Hilyr Eno, Grozdanov, and Wilfredo León were taken out of the game. The Cuban star finished with 8 points in the two sets he participated in.
With a reserve lineup, Bogdanka showed a completely different face. The hosts won the third set 25:22, and after that, Marcin Komenda also sat on the bench. In the fourth, Bogdanka achieved a real feat – 32:30 after 35 minutes of play and numerous comebacks.
In the tie-break, the hosts maintained their momentum and closed out the match at 15:12, finalizing the 3:2 score.
Mikołaj Sawicki, who was absent for almost the entire season due to a doping scandal, got the opportunity to play an entire set – specifically the tie-break – and made the most of it. He scored 6 points and was among the most active in the decisive rallies.
The MVP was the other long-absent player from the home team's lineup - Kévin Sásak, who finished with 14 points.
Despite winning the match, Bogdanka bids farewell to the dream of achieving more in their first Champions League season and is now looking ahead to the second quarter-final match of the championship against Skra Bełchatów on Saturday. Ironically, if they advance to the semi-final phase, they could once again face Warszawa, who are leading their series against Wygiel 1:0.

photo:cev.eu