Poland claim historic gold medal in the 2023 FIVB Men's Volleyball Nations League

One week removed from Türkiye’s maiden win in the women’s competition, Poland struck gold for the first time in their history in the FIVB Volleyball Men's Nations League, clinching the title after sweeping their opponents in the final round of the competition, in a packed ERGO Arena in Gdansk, with over 10.000 fans celebrating the win with their favourites.

Poland came into the final round in a red-hot form, despite finishing only third in the preliminary round, with 10 wins and two losses. But their run-in was absolutely superb, riding a four-game winning streak and had the home advantage, which proved to be crucial in Gdansk, where three other European teams fought for the title.

The hosts started off well, with a 3:0 win over Brazil in the first match, after they dominated their opponents in all categories, to clinch a semi-finals berth in straight sets, 26:24, 25:21 and 25:20, with star Aleksander Śliwka in superb form, scoring 16 points.

The semi-final against Japan was probably the most difficult game for Poland in the final round, as they dropped the first set, 19:25, and were seriously put under pressure by the Asian side. Yet with Wilfredo Leon Venero and Lukasz Kaczmarek combining for 42 points, the hosts bounced back and took the next three sets, 28:26,  25:17 and 25:21 to seal the precious win which enabled them to progress to the final of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s Nations League for the second time in three seasons.

Unlike the 2021 final, when they lost the game against Brazil, this time around Poland were successful in their quest for the elusive gold medal, as they ensured their fourth medal in four editions in the competition after the win against Japan.

Yet the final was always going to be difficult, as their opponents were the United States of America, a true powerhouse, which had previously eliminated two European sides on the way to the final, France in the quarter-finals (3:2) and reigning world and European champions, Italy, in the semi-finals (3:0).

Moreover, USA clinched a 3:0 straightforward win against Poland in Pool 3 of the preliminary round, with no questions asked after a dominating display, which saw them earn a clear win in all sets, 25:22, 25:18 and 25:19.

This time around, though, Poland were better, in spite of captain Bartosz Kurek missing out on the final, due to an injury. Yet Kurek was replaced by an excellent Lukasz Kaczmarek, who led his side to an outstanding win to clinch a historic gold medal, with a 3:1 win on sets.

Kaczmarek inspired his side with 25 points, the top scorer of the game, while Aleksander Śliwka added 14 points, as Poland took the first set 25:23, only to drop the second one, 24:26. Eventually, with a stellar defence, Poland jumped to two 25:18 wins in the next two sets to clinch their first gold medal.

Kaczmarek also made the VNL 2023 Dream Team as the best opposite, with three other Poland players clinching places in the top side of the competition: outside hitter Aleksander Śliwka, middle blocker Jakub Kochanowski and libero Pawel Zatorski. USA’s Micah Christenson was the best setter of the final round, while David Smith was one of the best middle blockers. Japan’s Yuki Ishikawa joined Śliwka as the best outside hitter.

Experienced liber Pawel Zatorski became the first player on his position to clinch the MVP title, being the only player from the Poland team which became world champions in 2014 and 2016 to still be active in this squad which struck gold once again.