The Polish national team demonstrated excellent form in their last friendly match before the third and final week of the Volleyball Nations League. Nikola Grbic's team decisively defeated Germany 3-0 (25:17, 25:16, 25:15) in Olsztyn, and by prior agreement, the two teams also played an additional fourth set, which was won by the Germans 25:22.
The friendly was the last test for the Poles before their departure to Chicago, where they will face Bulgaria in their first match on July 15. Precisely for this reason, the match was followed with particular interest, as Grbic tested various squad options before the start of the decisive week.
The biggest news for the hosts was the return of Tomasz Fornal and Kamil Semeniuk, who wore the national jersey for the first time this season. Both started as regulars and showed they were in excellent form. Fornal impressed with his blocking and attacking play, while Semeniuk brought calmness to reception and attack.
Poland completely dominated the first three sets. Already in the first part, Bartosz Lemański's strong serve and the successful counter-attacks by Fornal and Szymon Jakubiszak brought a convincing 25:17. In the second set, Jakubiszak made a series of powerful serves, and Bartosz Boladz closed the set with an ace for 25:16.
Only the beginning of the third set gave Germany some hope, as they took a 3:1 lead. However, the Poles quickly turned the tide, and their block completely neutralized the opponent. In this set alone, "Druzyna polska" scored seven points on the block and easily reached 25:15.
After the end of the official match, the two teams played an additional fourth set. In it, Grbic gave more reserves an opportunity to play, and the Germans took advantage, winning 25:22. At the end, young setter Marcel Bakaj brought back the intrigue with two consecutive aces, but the guests held onto their lead.
Even before the friendly, Nikola Grbic confirmed that he would not risk players who were not yet fully recovered.
"Firlej still has a calf problem. We did an ultrasound and there's improvement, but not enough for him to play. I don't want to take any risks," the coach stated.
Regarding Jakub Kochanowski, he added: "Kochan is working on an individual program and training in the gym. Both will be with us, but they won't play. Everyone else is healthy."
Immediately after the match, the Polish Federation announced the official squad for the final Nations League tournament in Chicago. The biggest news is the return of Tomasz Fornal and Kamil Semeniuk, who replace Mikołaj Sawicki and Michał Gierżot. Setter Marcel Bakaj remains in the squad due to Jan Firlej's ongoing problems, and despite still recovering from a knee injury, Jakub Kochanowski is also among the chosen players.
After eight matches played, Poland ranks third in the temporary standings of the Volleyball Nations League. In Chicago, the Poles will successively face Bulgaria, Brazil, France, and hosts USA, with the match against the Bulgarian national team opening their schedule in the tournament.
Poland's squad for the third week of the Volleyball Nations League in Chicago:
Setters:Marcin Komenda, Marcel Bakaj, Jan Firlej.
Outside Hitters:Wilfredo León, Aleksander Śliwka, Artur Szalpuk, Kamil Semeniuk, Tomasz Fornal.
Opposites:Bartosz Boladz, Kewin Sasak.
Middle Blockers:Bartosz Lemański, Jakub Kochanowski, Jakub Majchrzak, Szymon Jakubiszak, Jakub Nowak.
Libero:Jakub Popiwczak, Maksymilian Granneczny.
photos:Nikolay Varadinov
