IBB Polonia London fall short at the next hurdle in the 1/8 CEV Challenge Cup

The European dreams of IBB Polonia London are still big despite taking a dent the day before yesterday. On Wednesday 18th January 2017, the team from the capital of England took on Draisma Dynamo Apeldoorn. The venue turned out to be unlucky; the result of the first leg of the next round of the CEV Challenge Cup was a defeat: 3:1 (25:20; 25:16; 27:29; 25:17).

– For some, it will have come as a surprise that we won a set against a top quality Dutch side. I feel disappointed, on the other hand. I don’t feel as though we were fully prepared for the match. Due to the lengthy break we had too few trainings. The first two sets seemed to fly by, and it was only in the third and fourth sets that we started to fight. We really left everything on court, and of that I’m pleased. It was amazing to hear the support from our supporters from the Official Polonia Fan club; they made the journey over the water to help us. There were also a number of Polish residents living locally in Holland who were very vocal throughout. At the end of the match they gave us a standing ovation. – said IBB Polonia London Head Coach, Piotr Graban.

– The opponents were very demanding of us, and we didn’t play to our full potential which resulted in the defeat. On the other hand, we are pleased with our set that we won, where we were able to show that we have spirit. It will also help us stay optimistic for the second leg.– said Bartosz Kisielewicz, IBB Polonia London setter.

It isn’t the end of the fight to progress to the quarter finals of the CEV Challenge Cup. The second leg will take place on Wednesday 1st February 2017 at the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre in London. Last time that IBB Polonia London lost 3:0 away in Hungary they won the second match in Belchatow, Poland in a remarkable match. To top that the golden set also was won by the Champions of England. From this it is evident that the next match is not a foregone conclusion.

– I think it will be no ordinary match in Crystal Palace; we will bring fire. We know that we have a chance to win with this team. There level isn’t too dissimilar to ours. We have a good chance in this game. In the next two weeks we will sacrifice everything for the match. History can repeat itself. A massive part of there match will be the supporters, of which we expect huge numbers. – added Piotr Graban

Tickets are available on the website: https://polonia.eventbrite.co.uk/

Before the big match, the team returns to the domestic league of the Super 8. On Saturday 22nd January at 2.30pm IBB Polonia London play away against Solent.

Pic. http://www.sandsphotos.co.uk/