Ludwig/Walkenhorst vs. Ukolova/Khomyakova
After an even exchange in the early going, a service ace for the Russian side put them ahead two for the first time at 6-4. On the next rally, Walkenhorst hit long, prompting the Germans to call time. After the timeout, it was the Russian team's turn to start making errors, as hitting miscues both forced and unforced brought the set even again at 8-all. From there, the Germans took back another service point, and led 11-10 on serve at the technical timeout.
The Russians pulled back the point shortly after the technical and briefly served with the advantage, but a big block for Walkenhorst on serve at 13-all negated that. Then the point advantage swung back and forth a few more times. This was a very evenly matched first set. The Germans finally took the 2-point lead again at 18-16, with a hitting miscue from the Russian side getting them there. That gave them the opportunity to sideout to the win, but Walkenhorst hit wide on 19-18 and it was effectively a race to 2. I thought her hit found hands, but evidently not. She sided out on the next ball to give Germany the first set point on 20-19. Another hitting error from the Russian side ended it, and Ludwig screamed with glee as the ball fell long.
Set 2 started off with an even exchange just like set 1 did. The Russians took the first 2-point lead at 6-4, but Walkenhorst's sterling net play turned the page just as quickly. She got the sideout and then two big blocks to put her side ahead 7-6 in advance of a tie at the second side change. That deadlock wasn't to last, though, as more great net play put the Germans ahead. Walkenhorst's block to make it 10-7 elicited excited shouts from the German side and even on a grainy webstream, the dejection for the Russians was plainly palpable. They called time there, but it was just an even exchange of points to 12-9 at the technical.
The match continued to trend to Ludwig and Walkenhorst after the technical. A long rally went their way on serve at 14-10, and then on 15-10 it was Ludwig's turn to pu up the block as they wound up slightly out of system. Ludwig turned defence into offence like an art form on 17-10, and the Russians took on the look of a defeated team. Germany got to match point at 20-11, and while the Russians admirably ran off a few at that point, the deficit was just too large for any real comeback. A service error closed it out 21-16.
Kadziola/Szalankiewicz vs. Mullner/Wutzl
The fans didn't let the earlier loss by Fijalek/Prudel get them too down. They were a-rockin' and a-rollin' to begin this match, and their boys repaid their enthusiasm. Kadziola and Szalankiewicz led 8-6 after two side changes. They reached a 4-point lead with a huge swing by Szalankiewicz leading to a kill, and Kadziola did him one better on the next rally outclassing the Aussie net man Mullner. The Austrians got a sideout on 12-8 with a real phantom touch — replays showed it wasn't a close call.
The Poles added an easy service point on the first rally after the technical. The Austrians were caught on their heels a bit as the Poles were forced to send the ball over on "2-ish" — there was a block touch they'd evidently missed. They never really recovered. On the next rally, Szalankiewicz made one of the best digs I've ever seen, reflexively diving out of nowhere to track down the ball, losing his hat, losing his sunshades, and kicking up a bunch of sand in the process. His partner, though, didn't repay his efforts, as the rally ended with a net fault from Kadziola. From 14-9, the Austrians added two on serve, including an ace for Mullner, to prompt the Polish timeout at 14-11.
But there really wasn't any cause for concern. They sided out to take the 4-point lead at 15-11, and then the two sides traded sideouts for a while. A great big block for Kadziola broke the sideout string at 19-14. The Austrians called time there (small wonder they hadn't previously) but it did little good, as the Poles reached set point at 20-15 and put it away on reception for a 21-16 final.
Set 2 immediately went the direction of the home team. Playing some downright inspired volleyball, they took six of the first seven, the home fans giving them the strength and speed of four men.
The Austrians did mount a comeback, though. Wutzl's service ace on 8-4 drew them to within three, and then Mullner added one of his own to draw them back to within 10-8. It was 12-9 at the technical timeout, and what followed were some absolutely terrific rallies from the Polish side, with not just the regular defender Szalankiewicz but both players absolutely laying themselves out for digs, which, remarkably, also proved to be perfect passes. The Poles reached a 5-point lead first at 15-10 and were undoubtedly buoyed by their home fans.
The set (and match) inexorably reached its conclusion. The Poles reached match point on 20-15, with Kadziola's two-handed block sealing it. He slid on his knees through the sand (which….come to think of it, how is that even possible?) and made a triumphant pose as the ball fell in. Special moment for them after the match as they both gave a brief sound-bite. I don't speak Polish, but I'm quite sure it amounted to "Thanks for the support, you guys are the coolest, plz come back for our next match." It's what they want to say and it's what the fans to want to hear. Win-win.
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