POLAND’S star opposite hitter, Wilfredo Leon, soared and sent home a booming crosscourt hit that shoved his side to match point against Czechia yesterday.
With Leon showing the way, the world No. 1 Poles turned back the Czechs 25-18, 25-23, 22-25, 25-21 and will return home with a bronze medal in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The Cuban-born, 6-foot-7 Leon hammered the thundering attack that left Czechia libero Milan Monik crashing hard to the ground—and there was nothing the Czechs could do in Poland’s retaliation in the fourth set after surrendering the third frame.
Leon, easily among the crowd favorites in the prestigious 32-team volley showpiece, said they wanted to capture the crown, but emerging as third-place winners will not hurt, too.
“Special and not special because I prepared myself to win the gold medal,” Leon said. “Unfortunately, this time it didn’t happen. We won a bronze medal with a very good fight.
“So, I’m happy with that part. But not happy at all because we didn’t win the gold medal,” he added.
Leon unleashed 26 points off 23 attacks and three kill blocks for Poland, while Kewin Sasak chipped in 11 markers in the absence of skipper Bartosz Kurek due to abdominal pain.
Setter Marcin Komenda ran Poland’s offense with aplomb, with 36 excellent sets.
The win allowed the Poles to wrest their first-ever bronze in the Worlds.
Defending champion Italy and surprise finalist Bulgaria tangled in the one-match Big Dance at press time last night.
Czechia’s fourth-place finish matched its previous high when it also wound up in the top four in the 1970 edition on home soil.
Luka Vasina carried the fight for the Czechs with 19 points, while Patrik Indra and Antonin Klimes added 11 and nine hits, respectively.
While they fell short of their ultimate goal, it was nonetheless mission accomplished for Leon and Poland.
“The experience here is always very good for me. Like I said, I love it because we have nice weather here,” he said. “The people are cheering for us and I cannot wait to see the next tournament here.”
