In a stunning turn of events, Bogdanka LUK Lublin has captured the Polish championship title, defeating Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie 3-0 in the final match held on May 10, 2025. This victory marks the first championship in history for the Lublin team, which was not considered a favorite at the start of the season.
The final score of the match was 25:22, 25:15, 25:18, confirming Bogdanka LUK's dominance in the playoffs with a series victory of 3-1. After winning the first two matches convincingly with scores of 3-0, Lublin faced a setback in the third match, losing 1-3 in Sosnowiec. However, they bounced back in the decisive match to solidify their status as the best team in the country.
During the first set, Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie initially took control, leading by as much as four points at 12:8 and 14:10. However, a pivotal moment occurred when Mikołaj Sawicki delivered an ace that tied the score at 18:18. Following this, Warta's coach, Michał Winiarski, called a timeout at 22:22, but Lublin seized the momentum and scored the next three points, ending the set with an ace from star player Wilfredo Leon.
The second set saw Lublin establish a significant lead early on, going up 6:1 and eventually extending that to 10 points, finishing the set at 25:15. The final point of this set came from an error by Gyorgy Grozer, who was brought in for the final matches as a medical transfer to replace the injured Karol Butryn.
In the third set, the visitors from Zawiercie started strong, but the momentum shifted once again after a 6:6 tie. Lublin gradually increased their lead, ultimately securing their historic championship in only their fourth season in the top league.
Marcin Komenda, the captain of Bogdanka LUK, was named the MVP of the match, a testament to his leadership and performance throughout the finals. "We are incredibly proud of what we have achieved this season," Komenda stated after the match. "This championship is not just for us but for all our fans who believed in us from the beginning. We couldn’t have done it without our amazing supporters and the hard work of everyone involved in the club."
Wilfredo Leon, who joined the team at the beginning of the 2024/2025 season, played a crucial role in the team's success. His experience and skill were pivotal in guiding Lublin to victory. Leon's impact was evident not just in his scoring but also in his ability to inspire his teammates. After the match, he remarked, "This victory is a dream come true for all of us. We fought hard, and it feels incredible to bring this title home to Lublin."
Following their victory, the players celebrated in a unique way, reminiscent of basketball traditions. Leon, Komenda, and teammate Jan Nowakowski took scissors to the net, cutting it down as they celebrated their championship win. "Have we ever seen anything like this?" commented Tomasz Swędrowski, who was covering the match for Polsat Sport 1. The net, measuring over nine meters wide, was a fitting trophy for their historic achievement.
Before this championship, Bogdanka LUK had faced challenges, including a disappointing loss in the semifinals of the TAURON Polish Cup to JSW Jastrzębski Węgiel just a month prior. However, the team rallied, and their determination paid off as they now look forward to competing in the Champions League next season.
Founded in 2013, Bogdanka LUK’s journey has been remarkable, and this championship is just the latest highlight in their growing legacy. Club president Krzysztof Skubiszewski expressed confidence in maintaining the current roster for future seasons, stating, "We are happy where we are. Winning the Challenge Cup and now the Polish Championship is something we never expected at the start of the season. We just need to keep this squad together and make slight adjustments to be even better next season."
As the celebrations continue, the team reflects on their journey from underdogs to champions. This victory not only marks a significant milestone for Bogdanka LUK Lublin but also adds a thrilling chapter to the history of Polish volleyball.
