Poland will play with Serbia for the bronze at the volleyball championships in Europe. Most fans and experts predicted before the semifinals that these teams would fight for the gold medals, but in sports, not everything can be predicted.
Polish volleyball players this season reached the finals of the League of Nations, the quarterfinals of the Olympic Games, and the medal zone of the European Championships. Quite a good achievement, although expectations – especially related to the performance in Tokyo – were higher. After Sunday’s match against Serbia in Spodek, Vital Heynen will probably say goodbye to his position as coach of the Polish team.
Belgian coach over the past years has led the Polish team to many successes with the World Cup at the forefront. Heynen’s contract expires after the European Championships and is unlikely to be renewed, and one match – the quarter-final loss to France at the Olympics – was the deciding factor.
Thus, the white-reds did not win a medal in Tokyo, but they still have a chance to stand on the podium in the Katowice Spodek. In the semifinals – just like two years ago – Slovenia was better. The match against vice-champions of Europe was very dramatic and with a bit of luck (or maybe a bit more efficiency in attack) Poles could have won. The deciding factor was single actions and missed set points in a close second set.
Meanwhile, the White-Red team will play for third place against Serbia. The appetites in both teams were bigger, but there is no point in tearing tears, just need to go out on the field and win. A bronze medal is better than no medal.
Bronze Medal Match at the European Volleyball Championships: Poland – Serbia on Sunday (today) at 5:30 PM.