European Olympic qualification, Halle/Westfalen (W): Poland to face Russia in Sunday´s final
Two-time European champions Poland will face Russia in Sunday´s final of the European Olympic qualification tournament in Halle/Westphalia. In a high-class semi-final, Poland edged Serbia 3-1 (22-25, 25-18, 25-22, 25-22). Serbia still have a chance to book their ticket to the 2008 Olympics at the final Olympic qualifying tournament. Best scorers were Malgorzata Glinka-Mogental (16), Anna Baranska and Katarzyna Skowronska-Dolata (je 15) for Poland and Ivana Djerisilo-Stankovic (15) and Jelena Nikolic (14) for Serbia.
Starting seven Serbia: Jovana Brakocevic, Brizitka Molnar, Vesna Citakovic, Maja Ognjenovic, Jelena Nikolic, Aleksandra Avramovic, Suzana Cebic
Starting seven Poland: Skowronska-Dolata, Anna Baranska, Katarzyna Gajgal, Milena Saruek, Malgorzata Glinka-Mogentale, Eleonora Dziekiewicz, Mariloa Zelik
Once again, the atmosphere in the GERRY WEBER STADION was great, with both nations´ fans singing and chanting before the match. Poland were off to the better start thanks to in-form Skowronska (5-2, 8-4), but Serbia kept close the distance. After a great defensive play from Cebic and a winner from Djerisilo, the Serbs took the first lead (14-15). When Skowronska had no luck with a lob, coach Marco Bonitta took a time-out (15-18). The Serbs kept pressing, making it 18-23. Poland saved two set points before Molnar eventually gave her county a one-set lead (22-25).
Some good serves from Skowronska and Barnak gave Poland a 7-3 lead early in the second set. Poland´s block had come to life, with Liktoras and Dziekiewicz doing well to anticipate the feeds from Ognjenovic (11-5). Soon it was 16-8 and then 25-18.
After a well-balanced opening in the third, Serbia went up 6-11 thanks to brilliant work from middle blockers Citakovic and Veljkovic, with Skowronska falling victim three times. Bonitta made a tactical change, bringing on Skorupa for Sadurek, and Poland moved closer (12-14). After a block from substitute Podolec, a mistake from Nikolic and a nice offensive move from Glinkas, Poland had turned the deficit into a lead. Two blocking points against Djeisilo resulted in two set points, with Podolec converting the second one (25-22).
Brakocevic came on for Djerisilo in the next set and things remained close (8-7). When Podolec put the ball into Serbia´s field and Molnar sent it out of bounds, the two-time European champs were up by three points for the first time (15-12). Serbia was far from giving in, though, and following a mistake from Podolec, they equalised and even grabbed the lead (18-20). A 5-1 run from Poland, boosted by a strong blocking and defensive effort, turned the tide again (23-21). Baranska earned the match points and converted them to sent Poland through to the finals (25-22).
Statements
Serbia Coach Zoran Terzic: "Poland were better, just as the result
suggests. Their advantage is their individual class which helps them to play on a high level also when making substitutions. We still have the chance to qualify for the Olympics and I am sure we will see Poland again in Beijing."
Serbia captain Vesna Citakovic: "It was a good match from either side. We committed more easy mistakes in some very important situations and that´s why we lost. But I am sure we will still qualify for Beijing."
Poland coach Marco Bonitta: "We played a good match and I am really pleased with our performance. It showed today that we do not just have six or seven good players but twelve, which is a big advantage. Tomorrow Russia will be favourites, but today we showed just 80 percent of our capability - even though we played very well. If we can do even better tomorrow everything will be possible."
Poland captain Milena Rosner: "It was an important match for us and I am happy about the win but tomorrow is what counts. Then it will be "to be or not to be."