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“The national team – a place where each player can exhibit their potential” – Nicola Grbic
Coach Nikola Grbic announced the names of the 30 players that started bootcamping in Spala on May 8, 2023.
Opposites – Dawid Dulski, Karol Butryn, Bartłomiej Bołądź, Bartosz Kurek, Łukasz Kaczmarek
Middle blockers – Sebastian Adamczyk, Mateusz Bieniek, Norbert Huber, Karol Kłos, Jakub Kochanowski, Mateusz Poręba, Karol Urbanowicz
Setters – Jan Firlej, Marcin Janusz, Marcin Komenda, Grzegorz Łomacz
Liberos – Paweł Zatorski, Kamil Szymura, Jakub Popiwczak, Kuba Hawryluk
Outside hitters – Bartosz Bednorz, Tomasz Fornal, Michał Gierżot, Bartosz Kwolek, Wilfredo Leon Venero, Mikołaj Sawicki, Kamil Semeniuk, Artur Szalpuk, Jakub Szymański, Aleksander Śliwka
A look back on the past:
Poland’s Men’s National Volleyball Team has emerged as one of the powerhouses in the sport over the past five years, showcasing their exceptional talent and skill on the international stage. With remarkable achievements in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL), World Championships, and Olympic Games, the team has solidified its reputation as a force to be reckoned with. Let’s take a closer look at their remarkable journey.
Starting with the Volleyball Nations League, Poland has consistently been a strong contender. In the 2021 edition of the VNL, the team led by the exceptional Bartosz Kurek, showcased their prowess and reached the silver medal position, narrowly missing out on the title. Although they faced tough competition, their outstanding performance demonstrated their caliber as a top-tier team. In 2022, the team finished 3rd, after defeating the host Italy in the 3rd place match and only losing to the team of USA in the finals in Bologna.
In terms of the Olympic Games, Poland’s Men’s National Volleyball Team has consistently displayed their mettle and represented their country with distinction. Both in the 2016 and 2021 Olympic games they finished 5th.
Turning our attention to the World Championships, Poland has left an indelible mark on the tournament. Their victory in 2014 was particularly notable, as they overcame the odds and shocked many sceptics with their exceptional form. Despite being written off due to poor performances leading up to the tournament, Poland’s team defied expectations and emerged as the deserving champions The team secured back-to-back victories in the previous two editions, triumphing in 2014 and 2018. Led by Grbic, the team also reached the silver medals in the 2022 World championship in front of their home crowd.
Considering their impressive track record in the VNL, World Championships, and Olympic Games, it comes as no surprise that Poland’s Men’s National Volleyball Team has earned its place among the world’s elite volleyball nations. Their consistent performances and notable victories have propelled them to the pinnacle of the sport. Furthermore, the team’s success can be attributed to a combination of exceptional talent, skilled coaching, and a strong support system.
Players to look out for:
In the world of men’s volleyball, one name has been making waves over the past several years: Bartosz Kurek! This dynamic player has showcased his exceptional skills and left spectators in awe with his performances. From his impressive showing in the 2021 Men’s Volleyball Nations League, where he earned the prestigious MVP title, to leading Poland’s team to a silver medal, Bartosz has been an unstoppable force. With his powerful spikes, impeccable technique, and unwavering determination, Kurek has solidified his status as one of the sport’s brightest stars. Keep an eye on this volleyball dynamo as he continues to shine and inspire on the court!
Kamil Semeniuk, is another phenomenal Polish professional volleyball player who shines bright in the past years. As a key member of the Poland national team, Semeniuk shone at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, showcasing his immense talent on the global stage. His impressive feats don’t end there; he secured a silver medal at the 2022 World Championship and bagged two consecutive Champions League titles in 2021 and 2022. Currently playing for Sir Safety Perugia at the club level, this exceptional athlete is a force to be reckoned with!
No list of players to look out for is ever complete without the mentioning of Wilfredo Leon. The 203 cm, Cuban-born volleyball superstar’s first international appearance was at the age of 14 (!!!), playing for the national team of his country. Currently playing for Sir Safety Perugia and representing Poland, Leon continues to dominate the sport, earning his place among volleyball’s all-time greats.
