November 11, Nagoya: Turkey took a giant step towards the classification matches with a straight sets win over Poland, dealing the Poles' chances of survival a severe blow in the process.
The Turks put distance between themselves and their European rivals at the lower end of Pool E with a clinical 25-18, 25-22, 25-19 victory.
Poland must now win their final Pool E match against Cuba, and hope Turkey lose to Korea, to even stand a chance of booking a ticket to Osaka next week.
But Turkey's debut appearance at the World Championships looks set to continue as they look ever more comfortable on the world stage.
Turkish setter Bahar Mert, who had not played since being struck by injury in the first round match against Peru, made an appearance on the teamsheet but watched from the sidelines as her teammates warmed up.
But coach Resat Yaziciogullari had earlier given a vote of confidence to replacement Elif Agca, who starred in Turkey's only win of the second round against Chinese Taipei.
And Agca's early play showed why her coach had put his faith in her, as she released points-machine Neslihan Darnel for several early big hits.
It was Turkey who took the lead at the first TTO, but Poland made sure their European rivals knew they meant business with blocks from Kamila Fratczak and spikes from Sylwia Pycia.
Turkish captain Ozlem Ozcelik chipped in a service ace to the baseline as the Turks extended their advantage to 15-10, and Esra Gumus drove them into the second TTO with a spike down the line.
Poland's Natalia Bamber came on soon after, and immediately began loosening her arm with a series of spikes on the left.
The Turkish defence held firm until setter Izabela Belcik switched the play and hooked a shot over to cut the Turks' lead.
But Turkey were moving closer, and when a net infringement from the opposition gave them set point, Ozcelik found space at the net to fire in the winner.
Darnel added to her points hoard early in the second set, including a guided missile to the back corner, but it was Poland who snatched the lead.
Fratczak and Pycia were making their presence felt at the net, with captain Joanna Mirek also having a say in the opening exchanges.
Natalia Hanikoglu and Maria Liktoras traded heavy blows as both teams battled to establish their supremacy, but there was little to separate the two.
Poland coach Ireneusz Klos called a time-out as his side fell behind 17-14, but the Turks had gained an inch and were refusing to give it back.
Hanikoglu was becoming more influential on the left, and landed an ace as the Turks edged closer.
Fratczak kept Poland in touch, but Gumus gave Turkey set point when her spike careered off a Polish hand and out of bounds.
Turkish coach Yaziciogullari called a time-out when his side twice failed to finish the job, but Hanikoglu returned to take the second set with a cross-court smash from the left.
Poland bounced back with a storming start to the third set, blazing into a 5-1 lead.
Soon the Turks were on level terms, however, as coach Yaziciogullari roused his side from their slumber.
The coach's ranting on the touchline seemed to inspire his players, as Ozcelik, Aysun Ozbek and Darnel blasted in points.
But Poland were not ready to bow out yet, as Fratczak and Mirek hit back with equal ferocity.
The Turkish bench could sense that they were close, however, and celebrated every point knowing what victory would mean for their qualification hopes.
Darnel took them even closer with a smash for match point at 24-18, but Anna Podolec fired it right back at them as the Turks looked to close out the game.
Darnel made no mistake the second time, however, and Yaziciogullari and his team could begin the celebrations.
