Polish Ladies Triumphant
Polish volleyball players have won the European Championships in Zagreb, Croatia, having beaten world champions - Italy 3-1 in the final. The Polish ladies have thus defended the title claimed in Turkey 2 years ago.
There was only one goal before the tournament in Zagreb – to defend the European championship. Yet, the Polish players’ form and performance in qualification games indicated clearly this would not be easy. These predictions, however, proved wrong and Poland proved its superiority in all matches including last night’s final against world champions – Italy.
Indeed, the Polish ladies finished the 1st round with 5 wins in 5 matches to defeat one of the world’s biggest power Russia – 3-2 in the semifinal and Italy 3-1 in the final. Tears of joy mixed with the laughter, singing and dancing of Polish players and volleyball fans continued in the sports hall in Zagreb long after the victorious game.
The tournament in Croatia showed clearly that Poland is currently the number one team in Europe. Yet, according to sports commentator Radoslaw Nawrot it is still some way behind the world’s top volleyball powers like Brazil or China.
Andrzej Niemczyk – the coach of the Polish national team has already announced his intention to defend the title in two years too to become the first ever team to have won three consecutive European championships.