Poland’s men’s volleyball team has won the Nations League for the third time in history. The white-reds defeated the United States 3:2 (25:21, 23:25, 25:27, 25:23, 15:10) in Sunday’s final.
The final was a five-set battle in which Poland came from 1:2 down to dominate the decisive set. It was the team’s second straight VNL title and a follow-up to last year’s win over Italy and the 2023 triumph in Gdańsk, where Poland beat the United States 3:1.
For the Americans, Sunday was their fourth final in the Nations League and a fourth defeat. The two sides had also met in the last group-stage game of this edition, in Chicago, where Poland won 3:0. Sunday’s final was therefore their second encounter in the 2026 VNL.
A winning route through the tournament
Poland’s road to the final started in the group phase, where they won ten of twelve matches and finished second in the 18-team table. In the play-offs, they eliminated Ukraine 3:1 and then beat Slovenia 3:0 in the semifinal, dropping only one set across both matches. The bronze medal went to Slovenia, who defeated Japan 3:1 (25:21, 26:28, 25:22, 25:22) in the earlier match.
Sunday’s victory also had a clear impact on the rankings. Poland increased its lead over second-placed Italy to 51.72 points and remained the No. 1 team in the world.
Political praise and Grbić’s run
– Gold of the Nations League for our volleyball players! Apparently Tomek Fornal’s motivational speech made the difference. As if I could hear it. Well done! – wrote Prime Minister Donald Tusk on social media.
– I congratulate the Polish national volleyball team on another Nations League triumph! You showed character, turned the tide of the final and proved that you never give up fighting – wrote President Karol Nawrocki on X.
By winning the VNL for the second year in a row, Poland repeated the achievement of Russia, the only previous team to defend the title, in 2018-19. Under Serbian coach Nikola Grbić, the team now has three gold medals (2023, 2025, 2026), one silver (2021) and three bronze medals (2019, 2022, 2024). It is their ninth consecutive medal in international competitions under Grbić, and their fourth triumph during that period.
Source: Polsat News, Photo: Polsat News
