The Polish volleyball players, who are preparing to reach the medals in Paris, presented themselves to their fans in Krakow at the 21st Hubert Wagner Memorial Tournament. Interestingly, after the strong competition, Nikola Grbić's "Drużyna Polska" will play the first match of the Olympic tournament again against Egypt on July 27. "I want to specifically congratulate the organizers, because over the years the Hubert Wagner Memorial has become a global volleyball brand," said the captain of the "white-reds" Bartosz Kurek. "Heartfelt congratulations also to the city of Krakow, which welcomes us so well and it's very pleasant to return here. It's always good to pass this final test in front of your fans and feel their support," added the Polish opposite. The tournament matches are played in the "Tauron Arena" in Krakow between July 12-14, 2024, a hall where Bulgaria has also played many times. Teams that have won an Olympic quota face each other – Poland, Egypt, Slovenia and Germany, which is led by the former captain of "Drużyna Polska" Michał Winiarski. Nearly ten thousand spectators watched their favorites' match against Egypt in the "Tauron Arena". The Poles won 3:0 in the friendly match before the Olympic Games in Paris.
Wilfredo Leon did not participate in the tournament due to muscle problems, but Grbić assured fans that there was no cause for concern.

Poland - Egypt 3:0

(25:16, 25:21, 25:18)

Poland: Kurek (11), Janusz (1), Huber (6), Bieniek (3), Semeniuk (13), Fornal (8), Zatorski (libero) and Kaczmarek (10), Śliwka, Bołądź (2) and Łomacz.
Coach: Grbić.

Egypt: Elhossiny (6), Dola (5), Seif Abed (11), Azab (1), Hamada (8), Gaber, Reda (libero) and Asran (6), Abdalla Youssef, El Mahdi, Haikal (2) and Deyo.
Coach: Benitez.

In the other match, Slovenia defeated Germany 3:2 (25:22, 25:20, 21:25, 15:13)

Slovenia: Stern T. (21), Pajenk (13), Kozamernik (9), Ropret (1), Urnaut (15), Cebulj (15), Stern Z. (libero) and Mozic and Mujanovic.
Coach: Cretu.

Germany: Reichert (4), Thiele (3), Brehme (15), Schott (8), Karlitzek (24), Krick (10), Zenger (libero) and Fromm, Campa, Brand (11) and Maase.
Coach: Winiarski.

The tournament continues with the matches:
13.07.2024

18:30 Poland – Germany

20:30 Slovenia – Egypt

14.07.2024

14:30 Germany-Egypt

18:30 Poland – Slovenia

Bulgaria won this tournament in May 2016, according to informed sources.

photos: Mariusz Pałczyński