MATCH INFO

Sao Bernardo, Brazil, June 9, 2012 – FIVB 2011 World Cup runners-up Poland came from behind to win their sixth match in a row in the 2012 FIVB Volleyball World League as they defeated Finland 3-1 (23-25, 25-17, 25-19, 25-13) in Pool B in Sao Bernardo, Brazil on Saturday.

The Polish, who have won seven from their eight matches so far, lead the group with 20 points, while Finland remains fourth with four points and a 2-6 win-loss record.

Finnish opposite Oivanen Mi was the top scorer of the match, with 17 points. Poland's Bartosz Kurek and Jakub Jarosz added 15 points for the Polish side, followed by Michal Winiarki and Piotr Nowakowski, with 14 each.

Finland had a very good start and surprised Poland at the beginning of the first set as the Finns scored 11-6 with a powerful serve of Jukka Lehtonen. Poland tied the match at 12-all following three blocks from Piotr Nowakowski. A serve point from Oivanen Ma took the Finns into the lead and the set was closed with Lethonen stopping Bartman to score 25-23.

Poland returned in the second set with FIVB Hero Bartman replaced by Jarosz, who spiked to score 5-2 at the beginning of the frame. Led by Kurek, at the net, and Ignaczak in the backcourt, the Polish managed to keep a safe lead, in spite of the efforts from the Finnish. In the end, Poland secured a safe 25-17 win.

Finland had a good start in the third set and scored 4-1, but Poland quickly reacted and tied at 5-all with Jarosz. A block from Winiarski over Oivanen Mi gave the Polish a 14-12 lead. In the end, Poland illustrated its block power and improved their lead to clinch the set 25-19.

Poland carried their momenut into the fourth set and went into the technical timeout with an 8-2 lead. Daniel Castellani made several changes, but his team could not handle the Polish pressure who scored 16-4. In the end, a wrong serve of Tuominen closed the match.