Poland, France join Germany, Brazil into World Championship semis

Luxembourg, Luxembourg, September 19, 2014.  The teams of France and Poland clinched the top places of Pools G and H and, respectively, the last two available semifinal spots at the FIVB Men’s World Championship following their five-set victories on Thursday night.

Winning one set against Iran would have been enough for the French to advance as pool winner, but they achieved a 3:2 (25-20, 25-23, 22-25, 19-25, 15-9) victory at Spodek Arena in Katowice to total five points from a 2-0 win-loss record after.  They will now play the three-time defending champions and the #1 team on the world ranking Brazil in one of the semifinals on Saturday.

“It is an amazing feeling!  We are among the four best teams in the world,” exclaimed France’s captain Benjamin Toniutti.  “Thanks to all the players and staff.  We are in the semis against Brazil and we will fight like we have been doing during the entire competition. We want to be in a medal position – this is our goal.”

At the same time, Poland edged Olympic champions and the world’s #2 Russia in five sets by 3:2 (25-22, 25-22, 21-25, 22-25, 15-11) in front of a full house at Atlas Arena in Lodz.  This was a record fourth consecutive tie-breaker victory for the home team at this championship.  It was enough for Poland to level Brazil on four points, but due to more wins to top the pool and face Germany in the other semifinal encounter on Saturday.

“We were very excited all day long, now we feel great happiness,” Poland’s captain Michal Winiarski stated after the match with Russia.  “We felt big pressure because there were high expectations not only from the fans, but also from ourselves.  Our dream came true, we are going to Katowice.  Now we are dreaming of playing in the final.  Germany would not play in the third round and beat Iran unless it is a very strong team.  I know that we are in a really good shape, but this is a semifinal, so it is going to be a very nervous game.  The Germans have a small advantage because they played the entire championship at Spodek in Katowice.”

While the semifinal matches will take place in Katowice, Russia and Iran are set to play for the fifth position in a contest to be played in Lodz on Saturday.

Click here for more info on the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship Poland 2014.