The head coach of the Polish men's national team, Nikola Grbić, announced the group of 14 volleyball players for the first tournament of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL), which will be held in China between June 10 and 14.
In the first week, "Drużyna Polska" (the Polish team) will face the teams of Cuba, Slovenia, Japan, and Ukraine. The tournament will provide an opportunity for the Serbian specialist to test new players as part of the preparation for the most important competition of the year - Euro 2026, which offers a quota for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Shortly before the squad announcement, Poland received unpleasant news. One of the country's best middle blockers, Mateusz Bieniek, will not play this national season due to health problems.
Poland's squad for the first week of the VNL
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Setters | Jan Firlej, Marcel Bakaj |
| Opposites | Aliaksei Nasewicz, Bartosz Gomułka |
| Outside Hitters | Bartosz Zych, Michał Gierżot, Aleksander Śliwka, Bartosz Firszt |
| Middle Blockers | Bartłomiej Lemański, Jakub Majchrzak, Adrian Markiewicz, Szymon Jakubiszak |
| Liberos | Maksymilian Granecki, Jakub Ciunajtis |
Poland arrives in China with an experimental squad, which includes several new names, but also experienced figures like captain Aleksander Śliwka. A number of key players are absent, indicating Grbić's desire to broaden his selection and check the potential of younger volleyball players.
Special attention will be focused on the performance of young outside hitters Michał Gierżot and Bartosz Zych, as well as on opposite Bartosz Gomułka, who gets a chance to establish himself on the international stage.
Grbić practically kept almost the entire team that went through the Silesia Cup, with the only new name in the squad for the first week of the VNL being experienced setter Jan Firlej.
Poland's first match is on June 11 against Cuba, followed by games against Slovenia, Japan, and Ukraine. The winners of the last VNL editions will aim for a strong start, despite a significantly rejuvenated squad.
photo: Nikolay Varadinov
