Monika Bociek triumphs after scoring the winning point
Ostrava, Czech Republic, July 29, 2017 – Middle blocker
Agnieszka Kakolewska led
Poland to a semifinal victory over the hosts of the FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix 2017 Group 2 Finals. In front of numerous fans, supporting both teams from the stands in Ostrava, the Poles managed a 3-1 (25-27, 25-20, 25-21, 25-20) win against the
Czech Republic to face
Korea in Sunday’s gold medal match.
This was the second time these two teams met in a World Grand Prix match. On both occasions Poland beat Czechia in four sets.
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The Czechs seemed to be slightly ahead in what was a very competitive first set, but towards the end the Poles took a 23-20 lead. It was all set for a dramatic conclusion as the home team was still the first to reach set point at 24-23 before eventually closing it off at 27-25.
Czechia could not hold on to the four-point lead they had at the two technical time-outs in the second set. With Agnieszka Kakolewska on fire, Poland turned the tables and cruised to a 25-20 close. Gaining momentum and taking advantage of the many mistakes on the other half of the court, coach
Jacek Nawrocki’s team was well in control of the third set, opening a wide gap. The home team did not give in without a fight and narrowed it down in the end only to give it away with a faulty serve for 21-25. The fourth set was very similar to the third. With the Czechs continuing to commit excessive errors, Poland was in control of the scoreboard throughout the set. With a powerful block-out shot,
Monika Bociek fixed the 25-20 close and sent her team celebrating with a spot in the final.