This weekend promises to be thrilling for volleyball fans as the PlusLiga heats up with intense matchups, particularly the anticipated face-off between Poland’s star players, Lukasz Kaczmarek and Bartosz Kurek. Their club teams, Jastrzebski Wegiel and ZAKSA Kedzierzyn-Kozle, will clash on Sunday, February 23, starting at 14:45 local time. This match not only showcases two top players from the men’s national team but also features high stakes as these clubs vie for position atop the league standings.
Leading the PlusLiga standings, Jastrzebski Wegiel sits confidently at the top with 63 points from 25 matches (20 wins and 5 losses), five points clear of their nearest competitors. The defending champions, ZAKSA, are positioned fourth with 52 points and hold the potential for upward movement, thanks to their recent form, which includes an impressive eight-match winning streak.
The history of this rivalry between Jastrzebski Wegiel and ZAKSA has been particularly competitive. Their overall head-to-head record shows Jastrzebski holding the narrow edge, with 50 wins compared to ZAKSA’s 47. When these teams last met, the results shocked many as ZAKSA overcame the reigning champions, powered by the bench strength of Kurek and phenomenal play from Mateusz Recko.
Although ZAKSA will face challenges on the injury front, with three players currently sidelined, including outside hitter Igor Grobelny and middle blocker David Smith, expectations remain high for their performance this Sunday. Meanwhile, host Jastrzebski will look to capitalize on home court advantage, hoping to extend their lead at the top of the PlusLiga table.
Action kicks off this weekend beginning Friday, February 21, with other notable matches. On Friday, Resovia Rzeszow will face Trefl Gdansk at 17:30. Resovia has been riding high with nine consecutive wins across competitions, solidifying their spot within the playoff picture.
Saturday’s matches will kick off with Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie taking on Slepsk Malow Suwalki at 14:45. Currently occupying second place, Aluron seeks to maintain their recent momentum as they face off against the 10th-placed Slepsk, who are still battling for playoff contention.
At 17:30 on Saturday, PSG Stal Nysa will look to escape the relegation zone against Nowak-Mosty MKS Bedzin, who desperately need wins to recover from their precarious position on the league table. Stal Nysa is only three points above the red line, making this matchup particularly urgent.
Saturday concludes with GKS Katowice hosting Cuprum Stilon Gorzow Wielkopolski, where both teams strive to secure necessary points as they eye survival within the league. The stakes are even higher for GKS, who remain near the bottom of the standings.
The thrill of competition does not let up on Sunday, where apart from Kaczmarek’s Jastrzebski match against Kurek’s ZAKSA, PGE Projekt Warsaw will take on Indykpol AZS Olsztyn. Both teams are well positioned for playoff spots, making every set highly consequential.
The late match on Sunday will see BOGDANKA LUK Lublin trying to continue their winning ways against Steam Hemarpol Norwid Czestochowa, with Lublin currently holding fifth place.
One exciting storyline to follow this weekend is the performance of young star Alaksiej Nasewicz, who recently exceeded the 400-point mark. The Trefl Gdansk player, who has emerged as a team leader at just 22 years of age, contributed significantly to his team’s efforts against Resovia last week.
“My teammates have been great,” Nasewicz said after his performance. “I just work hard every day and hope to keep helping my team succeed.” His burgeoning reputation could see him soon transition to the senior national team.
For fans of the league, coverage will also be available on various sports networks, amplifying the excitement surrounding the matches. With the PlusLiga playoffs coming up, every point matters, and each match this weekend is pivotal.
Be sure to tune in as the action kicks off from February 21 through February 24, with matches scheduled throughout the weekend at multiple locations, ensuring there’s never a dull moment for Polish volleyball enthusiasts.