Poland's men's under-17 volleyball team beat Mexico 3-1 in the group stage of this year's Under-17 World Championship in Doha, Qatar, with sets going 28-30, 25-17, 25-23, 25-20.
The result had little bearing on Poland's progress. The team, coached by Sebastian Pawlik, had already secured qualification for the round of 16 after opening the tournament with a quick win over Argentina and a five-set defeat to Brazil. The match against Mexico was treated as a warm-up before the knockout phase begins.
Mexico's last chance
For Mexico, the game was a final opportunity to stay in the tournament. Mexico had lost both its previous group matches, against Brazil and Argentina, without taking a single set from either side, and it played as though aware this was its last chance to survive.
Poland raced to an early 9-5 lead in the first set and held a comfortable advantage for much of the period, before stalling midway through. Mexico reeled off four straight winning rallies to level the score at 15-15 and later built a two-point lead. Poland fought back to save two set points but could not close out the set, wasting three set points of its own. Mexico took the opener 30-28.
Poland regroups
Poland responded strongly in the second set, denying Mexico any chance to build on its momentum and levelling the match with a 25-17 win.
The third set, played in front of the crowd gathered at the arena in Doha, was the tightest of the match, with neither side leading by more than two points at any stage. Poland kept its composure to win it 25-23.
The fourth set stayed close for long stretches before Poland pulled clear with a four-point run late on, moving to a 22-17 lead it did not surrender, and closed out the set 25-20 to seal the match.
What comes next
Poland advanced to the last 16 without difficulty. The team's opponent in that round has not yet been determined, as not all group-stage matches have been completed. Mexico was eliminated from the tournament, finishing 18th overall in the combined standings.
