As the match between Bulgaria and Poland on July 15 in Chicago approaches, it is gradually becoming clear how Nikola Grbić is building his team for the final week of the Volleyball Nations League group stage. Data from the first two tournaments show an interesting trend – from a limited group of 14 players in Linyi to a significantly wider rotation in Gliwice, and now almost all big names in Polish volleyball have gathered at the training camp in Spała. However, who will make it into the final 14 for Chicago will only become clear next week.

How Poland changed during the first two tournaments

The difference between the two tournaments is not accidental. In Linyi, Poland traveled with a compact group of 14 players – a practice most national teams follow due to the costs of airfare, accommodation, and organization. In Gliwice, however, as hosts, the Poles had no such restrictions, and Grbić took full advantage of this, using as many as 18 different volleyball players. This allowed him to expand the rotation without disrupting the team's game rhythm.

Linyi: Consistent squad and fluctuating results

In China, the Serbian specialist relied on the same group of 14 players – Nasewicz, Gomułka, Lemański, Majchrzak, Markiewicz, Jakubiszak, Śliwka, Gieżot, Firszt, Zych, Bąkaj, Firlej, Czunajtis, and Graneczny.

The first week showed that Poland is still searching for its optimal form. A convincing success against Cuba was followed by two dramatic losses in tie-breaks to Slovenia and Japan, and the tournament ended with an impressive comeback against Ukraine after being down 0:2 sets.

Gliwice: hosting allowed for broader rotation

In the second tournament, Grbić already used a total of 18 different players. Among the season's debutants were Wilfredo Leon, Bartłomiej Bołądź, Kevin Sasak, Jan Nowak, Poręba, Artur Szalpuk, Sawicki, and Komenda.

The expanded rotation yielded the desired effect. Poland won all four of its matches, and the game against Argentina went down in history with the first set ending 48:50 – the longest set in the history of the Nations League.

The core of the team remains the same

Nine volleyball players are present in both tournaments.

It is precisely around this group that Nikola Grbić is gradually building up his team with the return of the most experienced national players.

The big stars are already in Spała

Among the 19 volleyball players training in Spała are Tomasz Fornal, Kamil Semeniuk, Jakub Kochanowski, and Wilfredo León – players who have not been on the court together so far in the current edition of VNL.

However, this does not mean that all of them will definitely travel to Chicago. The Polish coach has a group of 19 players, and for the last tournament of the group stage, he will have to choose only 14. The final squad is expected to be announced just before departure for the USA next week.

Who are no longer in the plans

Eight volleyball players, used in the first two tournaments, are no longer among the 19 in Spała.

Among them is also the libero Čunaitis, which means that Granieczny and Jakub Popiwczak remain in the camp as options for this position.

The intrigue remains until the last moment

If the first two weeks of the Nations League were a period of experiments and the gradual return of leaders, then now Nikola Grbić has almost all the best Polish volleyball players in one place. That is why the biggest question before the match with Bulgaria is not whether Poland has enough class, but which exact 14 players will get a place on the plane to Chicago. After being able to see as many as 18 different volleyball players in action in Gliwice, the coach now faces probably the most difficult decision since the start of the season. The final answer will only be known next week.