Toyama, Japan, September 16, 2015 – Poland clinched a 3-1 victory (23-25, 25-15, 25-19, 25-19) over Canada in the second round of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Cup at the Toyama City Gymnasium on Wednesday.
Bartosz Kurek delivered a stellar performance of 21 points to maintain Poland’s unblemished record after six matches in the competition.
Canada tried to play at par in the first set, finding the lead both technical timeouts (8-6 and 16-14). Steven Marshall and Frederic Winters pushed Canada’s offence to a great start by finding good angles from the flank. Service aces from Rafal Buszek and Piotr Nowakowski helped define what looked like an overtake by Poland but Marshall went to work the wings once more. Kurek’s flawed service awarded the first set to Canada, 25-23.
Poland came back with strong vengeance in the second set, seizing 8-3 at the first technical timeout. Kurek found his way to score point after point, proving equally effective in attacks and blocks. Meanwhile, Canada found themselves fumbling for a clean pass. Some errors after, a lead so huge was right in front of them. The Polish side closed the second set to their favour, 25-15.
Poland displayed more of their offensive fervour after trailing early in the third set. Mateusz Bieniek proved to be a good and lethal source of points at the middle. Coach Stephane Antiga mostly planned to exclude a natural setter on the floor and the magic worked as Poland took third set, 25-19.
Canada got off to a good 8-5 lead at the first technical timeout of the fourth set, but soon lost their rhythm in the counterattack. They faced the difficulty of Poland’s strong frontline. Kurek finished off the fourth set, 25-19, with a swift move from the wing.