The Polish men’s national volleyball team defeated Germany 3-1 (25:17, 25:16, 25:15, 22:25) in a home friendly match on Friday, according to a report by Mateusz Gaweł. This victory served as the final test before Poland travels to Chicago for the third tournament of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) group stage, where head coach Nikola Grbić has named a 17-player roster.
Nikola Grbić Announces 17-Player Roster for Chicago VNL Tournament
Following the match against Germany, coach Nikola Grbić finalized the squad for the upcoming VNL fixtures. The roster consists of 17 athletes: three setters, two opposites, five middle blockers, five outside hitters, and two liberos.
The veteran core includes Wilfredo Leon, Tomasz Fornal, Artur Szalpuk, and Aleksander Śliwka. To ensure future depth, Grbić integrated younger players into the mix, including 21-year-old Marcel Bakaj, Jakub Nowak, and Jakub Majchrzak.
Official Squad Breakdown
- Setters: Marcin Komenda, Marcel Bakaj, Jan Firlej
- Opposites: Bartłomiej Bołądź, Kewin Sasak
- Middle Blockers: Jakub Kochanowski, Szymon Jakubiszak, Bartłomiej Lemański, Jakub Nowak, Jakub Majchrzak
- Outside Hitters: Wilfredo Leon, Artur Szalpuk, Aleksander Śliwka, Kamil Semeniuk, Tomasz Fornal
- Liberos: Jakub Popiwczak, Maksymilian Granieczny
Poland’s VNL Standing and Upcoming Schedule
Poland currently holds third place in the Volleyball Nations League standings with 17 points after eight matches. According to current league data, they trail the first-place team, Japan, by three points.
The team faces a rigorous schedule in the final week of the group stage. According to the official fixtures, Poland will play:
- Bulgaria: July 15, 7:00 PM (Polish time)
- Brazil: July 18, 3:00 AM (Polish time)
- France: July 18, 11:00 PM (Polish time)
- USA: July 20, 3:00 AM (Polish time)
Strategic Shift: Balancing Youth and Experience
VNL Performance Comparison
| Team | Current Rank | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | 1st | 20 |
| Poland | 3rd | 17 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the head coach of the Polish national team?
Nikola Grbić is the current head coach.
How many players are in the squad for the Chicago tournament?
The squad consists of 17 players.
When does Poland play the USA in the VNL?
The match is scheduled for July 20 at 3:00 AM Polish time.
What are your thoughts on Grbić’s roster choices? Do you think the inclusion of younger players will impact Poland’s quest for the top spot? Let us know in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for more volleyball updates.
