Poland men's national volleyball team

History

Poland achieved some of its best results in the 1970s, with gold medals at 1974 World Championship and the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal. They also won five consecutive silver medals at the European Championship, between 1975 and 1983.

2005

On January 17, 2005 was chosen new coach - Raúl Lozano.

On May 27, 2005 he debuted as the coach in official match against Argentina (3-1) - first meeting at World League 2005. Polish national team won 9 of 12 matches in intercontinental round in Pool C (with Serbia and Montenegro, Greece, Argentina) and achieved promotion to final round in Serbia and Montenegro. They lost just 2 matches with Serbia and Montenegro (2-3, 2-3) and Greece (1-3).

2009

On January 17, 2009 it was announced that the new head coach is Daniel Castellani, who led PGE Skra Bełchatów. In June 2009 Polish team played in Pool D of intercontinental round of the World League 2009. They won 5 of 12 matches, but lost all 4 matches with Brazil and 3 meetings with Finland. Poland took 11th place in general classification.

On September 3, 2009 Poland played its first match in preliminary round Pool A of the European Championship 2009 held in Turkey. Polish players beat France in opening match 3-1. Then won with Germany (3-1) and hosts - Turkey (3-0). Poland took first place in Pool A and went to play off round, where in Pool F beat European Champion 2007 - Spain (3-2) and won two another meetings with Slovakia (3-2) and Greece (3-0). They reached the first place in the group and Poland advanced to the final round. In semifinal played against Bulgaria and won 3-0. In final they met with France once again. This two teams opened and closed European Championship 2009. On September 13, 2009 Poland won a title of the European Champion first time in history. 2 of 8 individual award were achieved by Polish players. Paweł Zagumny was the Best Setter and Most Valuable Player was awarded the captain and opposite hitter of Polish national team - Piotr Gruszka. On September 14, 2009 all players were awarded Knight's Cross of Polonia Restituta and coach Daniel Castellani received Officer's Cross of Polonia Restituta.

In November 18–23, 2009 Poland participated as the European Champion in World Grand Champions Cup held in Japan. The Polish team won 2 of 5 matches with Iran and Egypt. Poland took 4th place.

Polish men's national volleyball team was elected the best team of 2009 in 75th Plebiscyt Przeglądu Sportowego 2009 in Poland and Piotr Gruszka was 3rd in the Top 10 of Polish Athlets in the same competition.

2010

Polish national team started season with intercontinental round of the World League 2010. At the beginning they lost twice with German team (1-3 and 0-3) in Stuttgart. Then on June 11–12 beat hosts of final round - Argentina (3-1 and 3-2) in San Juan. On June 18–19 played with Cuba. Poland lost first match 2-3, but next day beat opponent 3-0. The remaining 6 matches Polish national team played in Poland. On June 25–26 Poland beat Argentina (3-1 and 3-1) in Wrocław. They moved to Atlas Arena to Łódź, where they lost both matches with Cuba (0-3 and 1-3). Matches with Germany on July 8–9 ended Polish participated in the World League. Poland lost 2-3 and won the next day 3-1 at Spodek in Katowice.

On September 25, 2010 players of Polish national team played their first match at the World Championship 2010. They won all 3 matches in Pool F (first round) with Canada (3-0), Germany (3-2) and Serbia (3-1), which were held in Trieste, Italy. In second round Poland lost their both matches with Brazil (0-3) and Bulgaria (0-3). Poland ended Championships in place 13-18.

On October 25, 2010 after the vote of the board of Polish Volleyball Federation, Castellani was fired.

2011

Polish national team after bad previous year changed a head coach and squad. Andrea Anastasi began work as head coach on February 23, 2011, when Poland was ranked 11th in the FIVB ranking. His assistant was Andrea Gardini.

They started season without an important players like Zagumny, Winiarski or Wlazły. The team started with the World League 2011. Poland as host was in final tournament, which was held at Ergo Arena in Gdańsk. During a first match against Bulgaria, an opposite hitter - Zbigniew Bartman injured. Despite this Poland won after tie-break. Then Poland lost with Italy (0–3) and beat Argentina in five sets. They went to the semifinal, but lost the match against Russia (1-3). On July 10, 2011 Poland won first medal of the World League in history. The bronze winning in the match against Argentina. Polish achieved individual awards - Bartosz Kurek was the Best Scorer and Krzysztof Ignaczak the Best Libero.

In the same year the Polish national team wanted to defend a title of European Champion from 2009. The team, without injured Zbigniew Bartman, won in playoff round with Czech Republic and went to quarterfinals. In Karlovy Vary beat Slovakia (3-0). Then they moved to Vienna and lost the match against Italy (0-3). Poles again played the 3rd place match. On September 18, 2011 they beat the winners of World League 2011 - Russia (3-1) and achieved their second bronze in 2011. In addition, individual award for Best Server received Bartosz Kurek.

In November was the first chance to qualify for the Olympic Games 2012. At FIVB World Cup 2011 won 9 of 11 matches. They lost with Iran (2-3), Brazil (2–3) and Russia (2-3). Polish national team won promotion to the Olympics on December 3, 2011, when they won first two sets against Brazil (this one point gave them place on the podium). In conclusion Poland won the silver medal, and repeated the success of the FIVB World Cup 1965, where Poland achieve silver too. For the first time in the history Polish national team won three medals in one year. One of individual awards received middle-blocker Marcin Możdżonek, who was Best Blocker.

Polish men's national volleyball team was elected the best team of 2011 in 77th Plebiscyt Przeglądu Sportowego 2011 in Poland and Bartosz Kurek was 2nd in the Top 10 of Polish Athlets in the same competition.

2012

The main purpose for the team were Olympics, but earlier they participated in FIVB World League 2012. They won 10 of 12 matches of intercontinental round, including 3 times won with Brazil, which was successful after many years of defeats. Poland advanced to Final Six, which was held in Sofia, Bulgaria. Polish team was in Pool F with Cuba and Brazil. They won with the both of group matches and went to the semi final. They beat the host - Bulgaria and for the first time in history had a chance to play in final of World League. On July 8, 2012 won the final match against United States (3-0). It was a second medal of World League for Polish team and the first gold. Polish players received 4 of 8 individual awards. Best Spiker was Zbigniew Bartman, Best Blocker - Marcin Możdżonek, Best Libero - Krzysztof Ignaczak and Most Valuable Player - Bartosz Kurek.

On July 29, 2012 the team played their first Pool A match at Olympic Games London 2012 against Italy (3-1). Polish national team won 3 of 5 pool matches, but lost with Bulgaria and Australia. They went to quarterfinal, but lost it after 3-1 match against future Olympic Champions - Russia. Despite the defeat, Krzysztof Ignaczak was the Best Receiver of the Olympic Games 2012 (four years earlier, the same award received another Polish player - Michał Winiarski).

Poland had the success and failure of this season, but despite this they were elected the best team of 2012 in 78th Plebiscyt Przeglądu Sportowego 2012 in Poland.

2013

The team started season on May 24, 2013 when they played friendly match with Serbia (3-0) in Milicz. Next day, on May 25 the both national teams played their second match in Twardogóra, which was won by guests (1-3).

Poland began its participation in the World League 2013 losing their first four matches. They lost twice with Brazil at Torwar Hall on June 7 (1-3) and after tie-brak at Atlas Arena on June 9. Then Polish players lost next two aligned matches on June 21 and 23 against France, which have been resolved after tie-breaks. On June 28, 2013 Polish team played their first match with Argentine team (3-2) at Łuczniczka, Bydgoszcz and two days later their second meeting (3-1) at Ergo Arena in Gdańsk. The heroes of winning matches with Argentine players were Jarosz and Kurek. On July 5 and 7, Polish national team beat United States team (3-2) at Spodek, Katowice and (3-1) at Centennial Hall in Wrocław, after great game of Jakub Jarosz. Poland didn't continue their series of victories. On July 12, 2013 lost (0-3) match against Bulgaria and one day later lost dramatic match after tie-break despite the determination of the whole team. Unstoppable was the main scorer of Bulgaria - Tsvetan Sokolov. At Palace of Culture and Sports, Varna lost their last two matches of intercontinental round and ended their game in World League 2013.

In October 2013 Andrea Anastasi was fired as coach of the Polish national team. The reason for this decision were unsuccessful Polish losses in 2013 and getting worse team game. Poland, while working of Andrea Anastasi, took 3rd place in the FIVB World Rankings. It was promotion from 11th place in early 2011. Anastasi has announced that he won't be coach of any national team at the World Championship 2014 held in Poland because of respect for his former players. He decided to stay in Poland and has been working with Polish club Lotos Trefl Gdańsk.

2014

On October 24, 2013 was announced new head coach Stéphane Antiga. He began his work after the end of the league season 2013/2014, because he played for PGE Skra Bełchatów and he had to complete his career as a player. His first tournament as Poland's head coach was the CEV European Championship 2015 qualification. Poland won 5 out of their 6 matches, beating Macedonia and Latvia twice each and Slovenia once. The Polish national team qualified for the CEV European Championship 2015.

After this, the team took part in the FIVB World League 2014. They won 6 of 12 matches in the intercontinental round, but didn't qualify for the Final Six. They lacked one set against Brazil for a place in the final tournament. The team went on to make preparations at training camps in Belchatów, Capbreton (France) and Spała before the World Championship 2014. On August 16–18, 2014 the 12th Memorial of Hubert Jerzy Wagner was held at Kraków Arena, Kraków. On the first day, after losing a match with Bulgaria (2-3), coach Antiga announced the list of players who would represent the Polish national team at the World Championship 2014. He eliminated one of the major players of previous years: Bartosz Kurek. In the following matches of tournament Mariusz Wlazły was unable to play because of a sprained ankle. Despite this, Poland defeated China and for the first time since 2011, beat Russia. The Polish team took 2nd place and two of the Polish players received individual awards: Piotr Nowakowski as Best Server and Krzysztof Ignaczak as Best Libero.

On August 30, 2014 Poland played their historic match at the National Stadium in Warsaw against Serbia. It was the opening match of the World Championship 2014 in Poland. Polish team won 3-0 and with attendance over 62,000 audience. In their first group, Pool A, Poland won all 5 matches and lost just one set with Cameroon. In their second group, Pool F, the host team won 3 of their 4 matches. On September 10, 2014 they lost to the United States (1-3), but then beat the national teams of Italy (3-1), Iran (3-2) and France (3-2). Poland took second place in Group F. The breakdown in the next stage of the tournament was decided by drawing lots. Poland went into group H with Brazil and Russia. Some commentators and fans called Pool H the "Group of Death", but it was a happy result for the home team. The Polish national team won two dramatic matches after tie-breaks at Atlas Arena in Łódź. On September 16, 2014 they beat Brazil. Poland's main scorer in the match was Mariusz Wlazły, who gained 31 points for his team. Two days later, Poland needed just two winning sets for promotion to the semi-final. Poland beat Russia and took first place in the group. On September 21, 2014 the Polish team won the semifinal match against Germany, which guaranteed for Poland their third ever medal at the World Championship. On September 21, 2014 Poland won the title of World Champion 2014, for the first time in 40 years. Poland beat Brazil (3-1). Polish players received 3 of 8 the individual awards in the tournament: Karol Kłos as Best Blocker, Mariusz Wlazły as Best Opposite and Most Valuable Player. After victory Poland have risen two places in FIVB ranking and has been taken 3rd place.

It was announced that in 2015 the Polish national team will take part in the World League, European Championship (Bulgaria/Italy), World Cup (Japan), and the first edition of the European Games, which will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Historic result at World Championship brought the team their next title of the Best Team of 2014 in Plebiscite of Przegląd Sportowy 2014 in Poland. Head coach Stephane Antiga was awarded a title of the Coach of the year 2014 ex-aequo with Łukasz Kruczek. A title of Debutant of the year 2014 was awarded Mateusz Mika. Mariusz Wlazły was 2nd in the Top 10 of Polish Athlets in the same competition.

2015

Head coach Stephane Antiga appointed players to the Polish national team on April 2, 2015. The new chosen captain of the team was Karol Kłos, who replaced a previous one - Michał Winiarski. During the matches of intercontinental round of World League, the captain of Polish team was Michał Kubiak, because of Kłos' injury.

They began season with intercontinental round of World League 2015. First match with Russia, Poland won 3–0. Most Valuable Player of match was Mateusz Bieniek, who played his first match in senior national team. After break to national team returned a few players - Bartosz Kurek, Jakub Jarosz, Grzegorz Łomacz, Piotr Gacek, Wojciech Grzyb. Next day, Poland beat Russia in five-set match (3–2). Most Valuable Player of match was Bartosz Kurek (23 pts). On June 5, 2015 Poland beat Iran (3–1). Bartosz Kurek scored 30 pts and he was Most Valuable Player of match. Next day, Poland won another meeting with Iran (3–2) and MVP was chosen Michał Kubiak. On June 12, 2015 Poland lost first match with United States (3–2) after almost 3 hours meeting. It was first lost match of Poland since September 10, 2014, when they lost with U.S. national team at World Championship. Next day, Poland also lost with American players (3–1). After spending one week in United States, Poland moved to Russian ground - Kazan, where won two matches against Russia (3–1) and (3–2). Then they flew to Tehran. After a spectacular meeting, Poland lost first match on June 26 (3–2). Two days later, Polish national team beat Iran (3–1). Polish team spent three weeks in tour and they came back to Poland on last matches of intercontinental round with United States. On July 3, 2015 Poland beat USA in tie-break and achieved two points, which gave Polish team a qualification to final round of World League 2015 in Rio de Janeiro. Next day, they lost match (1–3). Poland qualified for the Pool J with Serbia and Italy. On July 17 Poland won match over Italy (3–1) and qualified to semifinal. Main leader in this important meeting was Michał Kubiak, who scored 19 pts. Next day, Serbia won over Poland (2–3), but Polish team gained 1 pt and took first place in Pool J. On July 18 Poland lost semifinal with France (2-3). On July 19 Poland did not achieve bronze, because of lost with USA (0-3). Polish team had problems with own errors. Poland took 4th place in edition of the World League 2015. Polish players achieved two individual awrds - Michał Kubiak was one of the Best Outside Spiker and Paweł Zatorski was Best Libero. In 2–9 August all players, whose were in final round in Rio de Janeiro went to training camp in Arłamów and two players joined to team (Włodarczyk, Kłos). Then the team without Wrona was training in Spała.

Polish national team is going to take part in 2015 Memorial of Hubert Jerzy Wagner in Toruń. First day, they beat Japan (3–0). In the following days Poland beat Iran (3–1) and France (3–2). Poland won 2015 Memorial of Hubert Jerzy Wagner for sixth time and Polish players achieved five individual awards - Best Spiker was Dawid Konarski, Best Server was Mateusz Bieniek, Best Blocker was Piotr Nowakowski, Best Libero was Paweł Zatorski and Most Valuable Player was a captain Michał Kubiak.

Polish players started their visit in Japan from training camp in Osaka and then they went to Hammamatsu, where they are playing their first round matches. Poland started a journey at World Cup 2015 on September 8, when they beat Tunisia (3-0). In following day, Polish players beat Russia (3-1) and in both matches Most Valuable Player of match was chosen Bartosz Kurek. During third set of the meeting with Russia, Polish setter Grzegorz Łomacz twisted his ankle. On September 10, 2015 Poland contuined their winning with Argentina (3-1) and MVP was Michał Kubiak. On September 12 Polish team beat Iran (3-2) and best player on the court was chosen Mateusz Mika. On September 13 Poland played their last match in first round in Hamamatsu with Venezuela (3-1). MVP of match was Dawid Konarski, who scored 22 points. Poland won all five matches in first round of World Cup 2015, but lost one point in overall table. In second round Poland beat Canada (3-1), Egypt (3-0), and Australia (3-0). After eight victories without any defeat, Poland moved to Tokyo. On September 21, 2015 two previously undefeated teams met in first match of third round. Poland beat United States (3-1) and Polish captain Michał Kubiak played his best match in World Cup. Then Poland won match with host team Japan, but they had problems with them in first set (3-1). Poland won 10 of 10 matches and the last day on September 23 met with Italy. They lost 3-1 and they did not achieve one point so Poland took 3rd place in tournament, which did not give Poland a qualification to 2016 Summer Olympic Games. Poland won 10 of 11 matches, but because of points and ratio of set, achieved only bronze medal.

2016

From 5 to 10 January 2016 Polish team took part in 2016 Summer Olympics – European qualification. Poland was in Pool A, where they won two matches, with Serbia (3-1) and Belgium, lost one with Germany (2-3). In semifinal Poland lost with France (0-3) and lost chance to qualify to Olympics. On January 10, 2016 Poland won 3rd place match with Germany (3-2). Poland was qualified to World Olympic Qualification Tournament and keep chance to gain qualification to 2016 Summer Olympics.

On May 28, 2016 Poland started the battle in World Olympic Qualification Tournament. After 5 victories in first 5 matches (with Canada 3-2, France 3-2, Japan 3-0, China 3-2, Venezuela 3-0 and Iran 1-3) Poland achieved qualification to 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro on June 2, 2016.

At the 2016 Olympic Games, Poland's national volleyball team achieved victories against four of their five group stage opponents, with their only defeat coming at the hands of Russia after a tiebreaker. These results secured them second place in Group B and qualification for the quarterfinals. Following the draw, Poland faced the United States in the next stage of the competition. On August 17, 2016, the American team defeated the Polish team in a straight set match (0-3). Consequently, Poland finished in fifth place, marking the fourth consecutive Olympics where they achieved the same result.

2016–present Ferdinando De Giorgi

The contract of Stephane Antiga lasted by the end of December 2016 and the Federation has decided not to renew it. In October 2016 Polish Volleyball Federation decided to chose a new head coach of Poland. There were three main candidats: Radostin Stoychev, Mauro Berruto and Ferdinando De Giorgi. On December 16, 2016 was announced that Ferdinando De Giorgi took over the Polish team.

Statistics

¹Friendly tournament, not included in the statistics

World Grand Champions Cup

World League

¹ players during all matches of intercontinental round

European League

¹ Polish national team B

European Games

¹ Polish national team B

Team A

Updated: 16 July 2016

Represent Poland at 2016 Olympic Games.

FIVB World League 2011

FIVB World League 2012

FIVB World League 2013

Stadium

Ergo Arena and Spodek Poland national team training and hosting venues.

Media

When Łukasz Kadziewicz was a member of the Polish national team he created the Kadziu Project. He filmed videos that showed how the Polish team was preparing for matches and their lifestyle during tournaments (for example the Olympics in Beijing, 2008). When Kadziewicz ended his career in the national team, Krzysztof Ignaczak took up his idea and he was continuing this work under the name Igłą Szyte. Ignaczak has been made videos and has been written blog.

On August 8, 2014 held the official premiere of a documentary film about the Polish men's volleyball national team - Drużyna. In the video players was talking about national team, motivation, daily life of representation. Cameras accompanied the team leading by Andrea Anastasi in 2013. The movie shows the season from the start of the preparation in Spała to the end of the European Championship 2013. The film ends with the takeover the team by the new national team coach - Stephane Antiga.

Kit providers

The table below shows the history of kit providers for the Poland national volleyball team.

Sponsorship

Primary sponsors include: main sponsors like PKN Orlen and Plus, other sponsors: Okocim Brewery, Adidas, Deloitte, Kinder +sport, Jurajska and SMJ sport.