Source:Xinhua Published: 2014-9-22 8:56:23
Poland dethroned Brazil as monarchs of men's volleyball with an epic victory in four sets (18-25, 25-22, 25-23, 25-22) in the final of the 2014 Men's World Championships on Sunday.
It was Poland's seventh consecutive win in the tournament where they compiled an 11-1 win-loss record, while Brazil failed in their attempt to be the first nation to win four consecutive crowns.
The victory of the home team put an end to the string of three consecutive titles won by Brazil starting in 2002 in Buenos Aires and continuing in 2006 in Japan and 2010 in Italy.
It was the second gold medal for Poland in the history of the event which was inaugurated in 1949, with the previous one accomplished forty years ago when the competition took place in Mexico in 1974.
In front of a crowd of more than 12,000 spectators at the Spodek Hall of Katowice, Poland, Mateusz Mika led the victory with 22 points, followed by the consistent Mariusz Wlazly who contributed 14 points. Michal Winiarski and Piotr Nowakowski chipped in with 13 and 10, respectively.
Outside of the arena, located in the heart on the city of Katowice, around 15,000 followed the action showed on several giant screens.
Wallace de Souza and Ricarado Lucarelli Santos finished with 18 points apiece for Brazil, while Lucas Saatkamp added 15, including eight blocks.
Poland also claimed the silver medal in 2006 when the quadrennial tournament was held in Japan. They lost 3-0 the final encounter with Brazil.
It was the second defeat of Brazil during the competition both at the hands of Poland with the previous one a 3-2 decision on Sept. 16 during the third round. Poland's only loss in the event came from the second round against the United States 3-1.