04/01/2016 18:00
Russia come back from two down to win Pool B opener
2016 European Olympic Qualification - Women
Ankara, Turkey, January 4, 2016. European champions Russia won the first match of Pool B against Poland but did it the hard way after coming from two sets down to win in a tiebreaker fifth set (19-25, 18-25, 25-22, 25-14, 15-10).
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Poland’s last Olympic appearance was in 2008 while Russia have featured in each of the last five editions of the Games. The Poles won bronze in 1964 and 1968 while Russia have twice been silver medallists in 2000 and 2004.
Poland started well in their quest for a Rio 2016 ticket as they led 16-13 at the second technical timeout. Poland’s Katarzyna Skowronska-Dolata and Anna Werblinska were constant threats in the air, and with his side 19-15 behind, Russia coach Yuriy Marichev called his second timeout. However, Russia could not prevent Poland from winning the set the 25-19.
Setter Joanna Wolosz orchestrated the varied attacks in the second set with safe hands for Poland and Russia seemed unable to find an answer as they found themselves 16-7 behind. Coach Jacek Nawrocki’s side were unstoppable and even though they let Russia back into the set, the win was never in danger as they prevailed 25-18 to take a two-set lead.
Convincingly beaten in the second set and seemingly heading towards an opening defeat, Russia rallied in the third set and took a 12-10 lead. Nawrocki used two timeouts in the space of four points but fell further behind and Poland were five points adrift at 20-15. The silver medallists from the Baku 2015 European Games launched a superb comeback to tie the set 20-all after great serves by Natalia Kurnikowska. Poland even took the lead 22-21 and were close to victory, only for the Russians to hit back and take the set 25-22 after great blocking by Tatiana Kosheleva at set point.
The Polish attacks had been like a well-oiled machine in the first two sets, but they did not have the same success later in the match as Russia got their game together. Tatiana Kosheleva continued to ground the ball on the Polish side of the court and each time Poland scored, Russia scored two with leads of 10-4, 12-5, 16-6, 16-7 and 18-8. After Russia wasted five set points they eventually forced a fifth set by winning 25-14.
In the final set coaches Nawrocki and Marichev delivered the tactical and mental aspects of the set by taking turns in calling timeouts. Russia led 8-6 when the sides swapped ends but after leading 9-6 Poland’s Natalia Kurnikowska balanced the score at 9-9 with an ace and hit another perfect serve to lead 10-9. However, it proved to be the final point for Poland as Russia came from behind again to take the set 15-10 and end another exhilarating match.
Russia top scorer, Tatiana Kosheleva: “We were not playing well at all in the beginning of the match, but we are big girls and we are able to come together and rise as a team. I am glad that the team showed what it takes to win at the right time.”
“We became a unit. We began to serve better and gradually straightened our game. We won as a team and I am pleased that everybody lifted (their performance) together.”
“The third set was the turning point for us. We were 22-21 behind, but managed to turn it around. From here it was easier, as Poland obviously looked tired and disappointed they were unable to close the match in three sets.”
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