World No. 1 Poland nipped USA to advance to its first Olympic gold medal match in men's indoor volleyball since 1976.
After a long 48-year wait, world No. 1 Poland is back to the Olympic gold medal match after dispatching the United States in five sets, 25-23, 25-27, 14-25, 25-23, 15-13, in Paris 2024 men's volleyball at the South Paris Arena 1 on Thursday, August 8 (Philippine time).
The Polish last advanced to the final in 1976 where it also won the gold after defeating the Soviet Union.
Wilfredo Leon delivered the finishing blow on an off-the-block hit to finally put away the Americans, who crept behind at 10-11 in the fifth and continued to pose a threat at the finish as they saved three match points.
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But Leon would not allow USA to flip the script, sending Poland to the finals against either reigning Olympic champions France or world No. 2 Italy.
Leon led Poland with 26 points built on 22 attacks, two blocks and two aces. Norbert Huber backed him up with 15 markers, while Tomasz Fornal and Bartosz Kurek had 13 and 11, respectively.
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Trailing 1-2 heading into the fourth frame, Poland leaned on Leon and Fornal to force a winner-take-all fifth set.
In the decider, Leon once again delivered to give his team a three-point lead at 8-5.
Poland sustained its advantage at 11-8, but USA slowly trimmed the gap to 10-11 after Max Holt’s service ace.
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Huber and Kurek countered to give their squad four match points at 14-10, only to be answered with three straight points from the Americans anchored on an ace and a hit by Anderson even as Leon stumbled on a costly attack error.
But Leon more than made up for that in the ensuing play to wrap up the match for Poland.
Aaron Russell paced USA with 20 points while Holt and Thomas Jaeschke contributed 12 and 10, respectively.