WARSZAWA edge LUBLIN to take first step toward #CLVolleyM Final Four
News
The #CLVolleyM quarterfinal stage got underway on Tuesday night with an all-Polish clash between PGE Projekt WARSZAWA and Bogdanka LUK LUBLIN. Backed by strong performances from Bartosz Bednorz and Kevin Tillie, and cheered on by a full house at Torwar Hall, Warszawa took an important step toward the CEV Champions League Volley 2026 | Men Final Four in Torino, securing a 3–1 victory over the reigning Polish champions. Despite a strong response from Lublin in the second set, the hosts remained composed in the key moments and controlled the match in the decisive stages. The result puts Warszawa in a strong position ahead of the return leg, where they will need "just" two sets to secure a historic place among Europe’s top four - but the #CLVolleyM rookies are still chasing their chance to claim the ticket.
PGE Projekt WARSZAWA (POL) vs Bogdanka LUK LUBLIN (POL) 3-1 (25-14, 23-25, 26-24, 25-20)
PGE Projekt Warszawa, with a score to settle against Bogdanka LUK Lublin after two domestic regular-season losses, opened the match in the best possible way. With Bartosz Bednorz on the service line - delivering a run that included two consecutive aces and forcing coach Antiga to use both time-outs - the hosts raced to a 7-1 lead. Although Bogdanka LUK Lublin tried to respond and, after a lucky ace from Hilir Henno, reduced the gap to 10-7, Warszawa continued to show great strength on the court. Bartosz Bednorz (5 points, 75% success in attack) led the way, well supported by Bartosz Gomułka (4 kills), who was also effective in offense and helped the team extend their advantage to 18-12. In the closing phase, Jakub Kochanowski (4 points) made his mark across all elements, including an ace that pushed the score to 23-13. The hosts eventually closed the set comfortably at 25-14.
Lublin, the #CLVolleyM rookies, came out determined to erase the memories of the opening set, and the early exchanges were much more balanced. An ace from Bartosz Gomułka gave the hosts a 7-4 lead, and Warszawa continued to play smart, led by Gomułka (6 points) and Bartosz Bednorz (3). Wilfredo Leon tried to spark Lublin’s comeback, reducing the gap to 14-12, and although Warszawa restored a four-point advantage at 20–16, the most exciting phase of the set was still to come. An ace from Mateusz Malinowski brought Lublin within one at 21-20, and with Leon on the service line they levelled the score at 22-22. Attacks from Malinowski and Henno (both with 6 points in the set) gave the visitors a 24-22 lead. Warszawa saved the first set point, but a long serve from Gomułka eventually handed Lublin the set 25-23.
Powered by strong attacks from Henno (7 points in the set), Lublin kept their momentum, with his two consecutive aces giving the visitors an 8-5 lead. Playing with growing confidence, Lublin put pressure on Warszawa, who struggled to regain their rhythm. Successful spikes from Kevin Tillie (5 kills, 83%) brought the hosts back into the game (13-12), and a long rally finished by Bartosz Bednorz levelled the score at 15-15, setting up an intense point-by-point battle (21-21). Bednorz (6 points) once again stepped up in the decisive moments, helping Warszawa move ahead 23-21. Lublin responded immediately, led by Mateusz Malinowski (4 kills, 67%), to tie at 23-23. In a dramatic finish, Yurii Semeniuk (3 points) sealed the set with an ace, giving Warszawa a 26-24 win.
A fierce fight for every point continued into the fourth set. The turning point came after a smart play from Bartosz Bednorz, who gave Warszawa a 9-7 lead and, alongside Kevin Tillie (both 7 points), once again emerged as one of the hosts’ key players. Bednorz soon extended the advantage to 11-7 with a block on Mateusz Malinowski. The game was not over, however, as Lublin attempted to fight back. Still, strong work in block helped Warszawa maintain control (17-10). From 20-15, the visitors launched one last push, reducing the gap to 20-17 after an attack from Wilfredo Leon. In the decisive moments, though, Warszawa powered by Tille, stayed focused and closed the set - and the match - 25-20, making important step towards the quarterfinals.
Bartosz Bednorz finished as the match’s top scorer with 21 points (2 blocks, 3 aces, 16 kills at 53% success, plus 54% positive reception). However, the MVP award went to Kevin Tillie, who recorded 16 points, including one ace, one block and 14 kills at 52% success, along with 57% positive reception. Bartosz Gomułka added 15 points for Warszawa. On Lublin’s side, Hilir Henno led the scoring with 19 points (4 aces, 2 blocks, 13 kills at 50%), while Mateusz Malinowski scored 15 and Wilfredo León finished with 12.
Kevin Tillie"This is only the first step in a long series of matches. It was a good game and we’re happy, but we are already focused on the next one. We let the second set slip away, and after that they became really aggressive, while we didn’t play our game at the end of the set. It was important for us to come back in the third and fourth sets and win the match. I wait for games like this - I’m happy when the arena is full and there is a lot of pressure, I love it. That’s when it’s the most fun for me."
MVP and player of PGE Projekt Warszawa
Bartosz Gomułka"It was one of the most important club matches in my career - I’ve never played in a game with so much at stake. There were a lot of emotions at the start of the first set, but once we calmed down and set the tone, it became much easier to play. It’s a very important win, because now we need two more sets, but we will definitely go to Lublin aiming for another victory."
player of PGE Projekt Warszawa
Marcin Komenda"The first set didn’t go the way it should have. We couldn’t find our rhythm or really compete with them, and they put a lot of pressure on us with their serve. It wasn’t an easy match because we struggled in reception and Warszawa served very well. It’s the quarterfinals, so we knew we were facing a strong opponent and that it wouldn’t be easy. It’s a shame we didn’t manage to close the third set in our favour, as we made a few mistakes. But nothing is lost yet - we have to focus on the next match, prepare well, and win in front of our fans to push this duel to the Golden Set."
captain of Bogdanka LUK Lublin
The decisive return match in Lublin is scheduled for Wednesday, April 1 at 18:00 CEST.