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In their last match of the pool phase, co-hosts Poland - the only unbeaten team in the group - fought against a Ukraine side who were already confirmed as finishing 3rd, knowing that a win would take them back to the top of the pool.

The game started with the home side securing a three-point advantage (8-5), but when the gap suddenly increased to six points, a time-out was requested by the head coach of Ukraine, Ugis Krastins (15-9). It proved to be in vain though, as the reigning World Champions easily made it to the end, achieving an impressive first set result of 25-15.

The Ukrainians were eager to battle and took the lead in the beginning of the second part (6-3). The middle blocker of Poland, Piotr Nowakowski, filled in the gap with a series of aces, along with a huge contribution from outside spiker Wilfredo Leon. Polands players took the initiative (21-16) and in consequence became the winner of the second set (25-20).

Between the second and third set, a special celebration took place in the Arena. Polish fans, as well as the volleyball authorities, congratulated Filip Lejawa and Aleksander Czachorowski, who had gained the silver medal in U-18 Men’s Beach Volleyball European Championship.

The ambitious Ukraine side refused to give up and bravely tried to force the match into the further set (16-16), but Poland was strongly motivated to finish its performance in the pool phase in this set (21-19). In the end they successfully closed the match with an ace from opposite Bartosz Kurek (25-21) and sealed their position at the top of the Pool A. They will face the team who finish 4th in Pool C in the Eighth Finals this weekend.