Jakub Kochanowski is the Most Valuable Player of the tournament
Polish captain Jakub Kochanowski was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2025 Volleyball Nations League Finals, a day after leading his team to the title in Ningbo, China. In addition, the middle blocker also earned a spot in the tournament's Dream Team - for the third consecutive year after 2023 and 2024.
Kochanowski participated in the last 7 matches for "drużyna polska", scoring 55 points (14 blocks and 5 aces) with an average attack success rate of 69%, including 71% in the grand final against Italy. Besides his statistics, he also shone with charisma and leadership in the absence of Kurek and Śliwka.
VNL 2025 Dream Team:
| Position | Name | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Setter | Simone Giannelli | Italy |
| Opposite | Kevin Sasak | Poland |
| Outside Hitters | Alessandro Michieletto | Italy |
| Outside Hitters | Wilfredo León | Poland |
| Middle Blockers | Jakub Kochanowski | Poland |
| Middle Blockers | Jan Kozamernik | Slovenia |
| Libero | Macris Carneiro | Brazil |
The squad brings together stars with extensive international experience and new names who have made a strong breakthrough. Poland has three representatives, followed by Italy with two, and Slovenia and Brazil with one each.
In brief about those selected for the Dream Team
Simone Giannelli (Setter, Italy):The 28-year-old captain of Italy made his debut in the VNL Dream Team with350 successful sets, contributing to the country's first medal in the history of the tournament.
Kevin Sasak (Opposite, Poland):At 28 years old, Sasak made a dream debut for the national team with172 points, including 15 aces and 16 blocks – the most prolific Pole in the tournament.
Alessandro Michieletto (outside hitter, Italy): The 23-year-old talent was Italy's best scorer with167 points, 15 blocks and26 aces – second best serve in VNL.
Wilfredo Leon (outside hitter, Poland): The Cuban with a Polish passport joined only in the last week but shone with87 points in 7 matches, including 16 in the final, which secured him his first participation in the VNL Dream Team.
Jakub Kochanowski (middle blocker, Poland): MVP and captain of the champions. Third consecutive inclusion in the ideal lineup. With his14 blocksand69% in attack, he was a key factor for the title.
Jan Kozamernik (middle blocker, Slovenia): The 29-year-old captain of Slovenia led the team to the semi-finals and recorded34 blocks, which ranked him 3rd among the best blockers.
Maike Reis Nascimento (libero, Brazil):With119 saved balls in defenseand88 successful receptions, the 28-year-old libero topped the rankings in both key categories and deservedly made it into the dream team.
🗣️Grbić: "Semeniuk deserved to be honored"
Poland's head coach Nikola Grbić remained critical of FIVB's choice:
"Semeniuk was perfect in all three matches. I'm sorry he wasn't in the ideal lineup and didn't receive any awards. He and Kochanowski deserved MVP. I don't want to belittle Leon or Michieletto, but Semeniuk should have been honored."
The MVP award for Kochanowski was logical after his brilliant play and leadership, but the absence of Kamil Semeniuk among the honored raised questions about the selection criteria. However, Polish dominance is undeniable - gold, MVP, and the most representatives in the Dream Team.
photos:volleyballworld.comand instagram
