23/07/2012 16:00
Poland wins Memorial Wagner to get right boost in quest for Olympic gold
News from the National Federations
Zielona Gora, Poland, July 23, 2012. To finish their preparations for the upcoming 2012 Olympic Games in London, the guys of Poland men’s national team claimed on Sunday also their last match of the annual “Memorial Hubert Jerzy Wagner” thereby finishing atop of the standings in the competition.
Poland beat Argentina in straight sets (25-19, 25-23, and 25-16) anchored by a great display by Bartosz Kurek, who stood out in serving and attacking and was eventually awarded as MVP of the tournament. “This was not a perfect game as we made once again quite many unforced errors. Argentina served well and their setter Luciano De Cecco is just amazing. We still have some days to get ready for our debut at the London Olympics” said Poland captain Marcin Mozdzonek after the match. “I was a little afraid before the start of the tournament because we were coming off very intensive preparations but finally our performance lived up to my expectations. We have to keep that same level and quality also for the Olympics” stressed home mentor Andrea Anastasi.
“My congratulations to the home guys, they are the best team in the world at the moment” said Argentinean captain Rodrigo Quiroga. “We made many mistakes today and if you play this way against a team like Poland, you absolutely have no chance. We have been working out very hard and I guess the best shape will come for the start of the Olympics”. “We could fight equally only in the second set but we will play much better in London” pointed out head coach Javier Weber. “I am not totally happy with our performance in this tournament but the Olympics are what counts the most at the moment”.
In the other match of the last day Germany beat Iran 3:0 (25-18, 25-20, and 25-20) to finish second in the competition while the guys around Julio Velasco suffered their third defeat in a row.
Individual Awards
MVP: Bartosz Kurek (POL)
Best Spiker: Zbigniew Bartman (POL)
Best Blocker: Marcus Böhme (GER)
Best Server: György Grozer (GER)
Best Setter: Lukasz Zygadlo (POL)
Best Receiver: Michal Winiarski (POL)
Best Libero: Markus Steuerwald (GER)
Final standings
1. Poland
2. Germany
3. Argentina
4. Iran
Many thanks to CEV young reporter Anna Holub for contributing this story
|