made a great sensation in the first match of the Champions League quarter-finals and defeated the favored 3: 2 (13:25, 29:27, 19:25, 29:27, 15:13). This is a huge surprise – no Polish club has won with Giovanni Guidetti’s team so far. He was not even close to it, and every game played with this team in recent years ended with a 0: 3 defeat for Polish teams.
The former coach of the Polish national team congratulates Developres and indicates who did not help their rivals
– This is definitely the first such situation in matches of Polish teams at this level. I do not remember such a match, even from the friendly tournaments, although there maybe one day we managed to beat the team from Turkey. But in the Champions League? This would be hard to predict under any circumstances. I am proud that I saw such a victory and I congratulate the whole team from Rzeszów on that – the former coach of the Polish volleyball team, Jerzy Matlak, tells us.
The match did not start well for the players from Rzeszów, but then gradually proved their worth against one of the toughest opponents the club has faced in its entire history. – In the first set of Developres he was lost and Vakifbank had to feel very confident. I am even convinced that the girls from Istanbul came to Poland and they associated Rzeszów mainly with the fact that it is close to the border with Ukraine, because there is now a war there. They seemed to be surprised at how the other band could play. Because suddenly it turned out that he is playing quite complex volleyball – he points out.
– The end of the fifth set was lost by Vakifbank due to his coach. Giovanni Guidetti is great, he is considered to be one of the best, if not the best in the world, but he started to infest so much that the Turkish women looked at what he was doing instead of playing. He wasn’t helping them when he got so active. In every play, he saw some Polish crimes on the pitch literally everywhere. He wanted to force a point for himself, he was overcooked, and he couldn’t nervously endure what was happening. I have seen a lot of such scenarios in matches, but few matches like this one. Almost no one was betting on Developres – describes Jerzy Matlak.
The rematch in Istanbul is extremely difficult for the women of Rzeszów. “There will be a cauldron”
According to the coach, the rematch in Istanbul will be a very difficult game for Developres to win and advance to the semi-finals of the Champions League. – The rematch will be a completely different match, there is no need to hide it. It is difficult to see the meeting at home and there in Turkey in the same way. There will be a boiler in Istanbul and I think that it will be even harder for the players from Rzeszów to win and a promotion. But that doesn’t detract from their success on Tuesday. It was a phenomenal game and it is a great achievement. However, I have not yet believed in the transition of Vakifbank in Turkey, because it would be a gigantic affair. But let them play as best they can – argues Matlak.
– I do not take any chances from them, especially after what they showed in Rzeszów. But I know it will be a different Vakifbank. I am glad that I could watch such a victory and I know that it will push the girls forward. Especially for the fight for the Polish championship in the Tauron League – adds the coach.
Antiga would choose the Polish championship, Matlak would go to Vakifbank in the Champions League
We also ask Matlak the same question that we asked before the Vakifbank was drawn. If the French coach has not won virtually any trophy with Developres – apart from the Polish Super Cup last fall, would he choose the gold of the Polish championship, or beating Vakifbank and moving to the semi-finals of the Champions League?
– Winning against the Turkish women would be a big achievement, it would become a holiday because nobody is betting on us. But this is only a promotion to the semi-finals, he will not be put on a shelf like a trophy or hung around his neck like a medal. I would have appreciated going this far in the Champions League after having passed such a rival, but that would have remained as a memory. And the Polish championship would be the first such important trophy with this team. Therefore, I would bet on gold in the league -.
And what would Matlak bet on? – Well, I have over twenty medals in the Polish championship, so I would definitely prefer to win with Vakifbank. But Stephane has not really confirmed that he has done a good job in Rzeszów with a specific trophy, which he lacks. That is why I understand that he would choose the championship, although I am sure that the fans in Poland will not forget his victory on Tuesday and it is also a huge success. Even if he does not put such a victory into a showcase – judges Jerzy Matlak.
Developers’ rematch with Vakifbank in Istanbul is scheduled for 16:00 on Wednesday, March 16. To qualify directly to the semi-finals, Turkish women need a victory in three or four sets. A win after the tie-break would only give them a golden set. Any other scenario gives Developers entry into the fight for the final.
Source: Sport
Tristin is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.
