In a thrilling encounter that showcased the intense rivalry of the PlusLiga, Bogdanka LUK Lublin turned the tables on ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle, claiming a decisive 3-0 victory in the second quarterfinal match held on April 1, 2025. This win not only leveled the series at one match apiece but also set the stage for a decisive third match that will determine who advances to the semifinals.
The match, held at the Azoty Hall, began with Bogdanka looking to redeem themselves after losing the first match in Lublin 3-1. They came out with determination, quickly establishing a lead. A mistake from ZAKSA's Mateusz Poręba allowed Bogdanka to jump ahead 4-1, and they continued to build on that momentum, leading 7-3 after a block on Rafal Szymura. By the time Wilfredo Leon attacked following a block from ZAKSA, Bogdanka had stretched their advantage to 12-7.
Despite ZAKSA's attempts to rally, the home team maintained their lead, eventually winning the first set 25-15. This was a stark contrast to the previous match where ZAKSA had dominated. In the second set, Bogdanka continued their strong performance, leading 4-1 once again. ZAKSA struggled to find their rhythm, and after a series of errors, Bogdanka extended their lead to 15-7.
As the set progressed, ZAKSA showed signs of life, narrowing the gap to 21-24, but a powerful attack from Leon sealed the set for Bogdanka at 25-21. The third set followed a similar pattern, with Bogdanka asserting their dominance early on, leading 5-2 and eventually 11-6. ZAKSA managed to close the gap to 18-19, but two strong serves from Leon pushed Bogdanka ahead once more, and they finished the match with a 25-20 victory in the third set.
Wilfredo Leon was the standout performer for Bogdanka, racking up an impressive 21 points and earning the title of MVP for the match. His leadership on the court was crucial, particularly given the absence of ZAKSA's star player Bartosz Kurek, who was sidelined with a back injury sustained during morning training on April 1. Kurek's absence was felt significantly, as he had scored 22 points in the first match, and his replacement, Mateusz Rećko, had only recently recovered from illness.
Following the match, ZAKSA's coach Andrea Giani expressed disappointment but remained optimistic about the upcoming match. "We know how motivated our opponents are and what level they can play at. We need to be ready and show our best volleyball from start to finish," he said. The stakes are high, as the team that wins the next match will secure a spot in the semifinals of the PlusLiga.
The deciding match is set to take place on Sunday, April 6, 2025, at 14:45 in Lublin. Both teams are now fully aware that this encounter will be crucial for their championship aspirations. With the series tied at 1-1, fans can expect a fiercely competitive showdown.
In terms of statistics, ZAKSA's team included Janusz, Rećko, Grobelny, Poręba, Urbanowicz, Szymura, and Shoji as libero, while Bogdanka's lineup featured Komenda, Leon, Grozdanov, McCarthy, Sasak, Sawicki, and Thales as libero. The sets concluded with scores of 15-25, 21-25, and 20-25 in favor of Bogdanka.
As the teams prepare for the final match, the pressure will be on both sides. ZAKSA must find a way to overcome the loss of Kurek and regain their confidence, while Bogdanka will aim to carry their momentum into the decisive game. Fans eagerly await what promises to be an electrifying contest in Lublin.
