31/07/2015 22:42
Poland’s men emulate countrywomen to record tie-break win in matchup with Israel
2015 CEV Volleyball European League - Men
Beer Sheva, Israel, July 31, 2015. Poland’s men emulated their countrywomen and on Friday they also recorded a 3:2 away win (26-24, 21-25, 19-25, 25-19, 15-9) in Beer Sheva in their matchup with hosts Israel. This was the very first international match played by the Israeli men’s national team in the newly established Shell Sport Hall in the city of Beer Sheva, in southern Israel.
As they had recorded only one victory in their previous six matches in Pool A of the 2015 CEV Volleyball European League, the hosts of Israel tried hard to upset Poland. The match immediately turned into an uphill climb for Israel as Poland was off to a 5:1 lead in the opening set. Israel responded with their most experienced player, Alexander Shafranovich, reducing the gap down to 5:3. The hosts eventually levelled the score at 7 all before Poland got back to the front at 12:9. Israel drew level again at 23:23 but Poland showed the right focus and determination to close the set at 26-24.
Israel caught a comfortable 8:3 lead in the early stages of the second set as Guy Ben Gal displayed a very solid performance and he continued the same way to propel a 12:6 score in favour of the home side. Israel stepped up their efforts and their margin was widened to seven points at the second technical time-out (16:9), and this paved the way for their eventual 25-21 set win.
Poland responded with a strong start into set 3 (4:1, 7:5) but three points in a row contributed to an 8:7 lead for Israel at the first technical time-out. The hosts were up by two points at the second mandatory break and eventually finished it off at 25-19 for a 2:1 lead in the match.
Poland got back on track in set 4 (8:6, 12:10) but Israel clawed back to make it 12 all. Still, the visitors broke away after the second technical time-out (20:16) and called for the tie-break after their 25-19 set win.
Tamir Hershko scored the first point of the final set but Poland came back with three in a row to move the score to 3:1 in their favour. They stretched their lead to 7:2 and 10:5 before the match came to an end at 15-9 for the hosts of the Final Four tournament scheduled for August 13-14 in Walbrzych.
Poland’s mentor Andrzej Kowal said: “I am very happy with the victory. We opted for five young but promising players who have been working very hard lately and this is the way we are willing to continue to work in order to prepare for the Final Four tournament in the best way.”
Israeli coach Avital Selinger said: “I am very pleased with the game today. We were able to play at the same level as one of the world’s Volleyball heavyweights. I am very pleased with the way we have done so far in this competition and need continue the same way. When the match lasts for five sets, you get a lot of playing time and this is good both for the players and the coaching staff as well.”
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