Nootsara Tomkom of Thailand sets the ball for a team-mate to spike during the Grand Prix encounter against hosts Poland.

Thailand silenced home fans in a nerve-wracking encounter to overpower Poland in a gruelling 117-minute, five-setter and clinch their first win in the 2008 World Grand Prix.

The team, which was yet win a single match, confronted not only their much taller, more experienced rivals, but also the ear-piercing noise of plastic horns seemingly blown from all corners of the Centennial Hall by 3,000 Polish fans.

However, Thailand kept their cool under pressure. Star spikers Malika Kanthong, Onuma Sittirak and Pleumjit Thinkaow took up the challenge for the Kingdom, three of them picking off points with their quick movement and spikes.

The girls came from behind to avenge the Poles, who beat them twice in last year's World Cup and the recent Olympic qualifiers, 19-25 25-21 18-25 25-23 15-4.

"After a letdown in the first leg in Ningbo, China, my girls were very determined and ambitious to win at least one match here in Poland. Their dreams came true eventually. I'm very happy that they did their best and their determined efforts paid off pretty well," said head coach Nataphon Srisamutnak.

As Poland's head coach Italian Marco Bonitta did not say much about the loss of his side, captain Milena Rosner was quoted saying: "Thailand played very well. We did our best, but we could not match them.

Skipper says sorry

"We apologise to the Polish fans that we let them down. However, it's a sport where we can either win or lose. Thailand have gained experience and made the most of it," she said.

Meanwhile, the USA crushed the Dominican Republic in straight sets 25-13 25-21 25-20 to take pole position in the Group E second leg. The Dominicans are trailing in second, while Thailand overtook Poland to grab third place.

On the final day, Thailand is due to take on the Dominican Republic while Poland is up against the unbeaten Americans.