Poland march on to #EuroVolleyM grand finale with comprehensive win over Slovenia
News
Team Poland delivered another impressive show of strength in the first semi-final of the CEV Enel EuroVolley 2026 Men as they recorded a 3-0 shutout of Slovenia – very much to the delight of a large number of fans that had come together with flags and other outfits to support the White-and-Reds. With this result, Poland remain in contention for back-to-back continental titles – they would be the first team to achieve this feat since Italy did it in 2003 and 2005 – and also for a coveted ticket to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. The result also accounts for the tenth straight medal that Poland will claim under the leadership of their current head coach Nikola Grbic across all major international competitions.
Slovenia vs. Poland 0-3 (23-25, 23-25, 18-25)
An impressive number of Polish fans came together at the Unipol Forum di Assago for the first semi-final which was a repeat of the 2023 match at the same stage of the competition that the White-and-Reds had claimed in four sets. After a very close start (5-5), Poland broke away (9-6) to force a first timeout by the Italian-born head coach of Slovenia Fabio Soli. Rising star Nik Mujanovic responded promptly to score the next rally for Slovenia but Poland remained ahead (15-12) as they displayed much consistency and quality. With their captain Tine Urnaut following from the sidelines after he fractured a foot during the pool phase match with Czechia, Slovenia pushed hard but trailed by six points (20-14) as Poland looked determined to secure the first set of this eagerly anticipated matchup. Poland’s run was eventually interrupted by four straight points scored by Team Slovenia (20-18) but the reigning European champions responded well with another streak of their own (23-19). It was far from over, since Slovenia scored three times in a row with Mujanovic standing behind the 9-m line (23-22) before the set ended with a service error by Klemen Cebulj (25-23).
Poland remained in control for the early stages of the second set (10-7) as the two teams entertained the audience with some truly exciting rallies. As Slovenia seemed to close in, Poland responded with two straight points by their top scorer Bartlomiej Boladz (14-10) but Alen Pajenk and his teammates did not lose their determination to fight. They cut their deficit to just one point at 15-14 and eventually drew level with an ace by the outstanding Mujanovic. A fiercely contested battle unfolded (21-21), before Poland’s successful challenge moved the score to 23-21. Wilfredo Leon scored a mighty cross-court attack and even an ace by Mujanovic could not stop Poland from doubling their lead in the match with another spike killed by Leon (25-23).
Slovenia were with their back against the wall and came out with guns blazing as they opened the third set with a 7-4 advantage. However, Poland – dressed in green for the day – fought back and eventually edged ahead for the first time at 13-12 following a mighty spike by their middle blocker Bartlomiej Lemanski. Kamil Semeniuk, Tomasz Fornal, and the other players coached by Nikola Grbic put on a show for the fans at Unipol Forum as they displayed an incredible blend of physical, technical and tactical skills that inevitably paved the way for their 3-0 win.
In a truly collective effort, Boladz top scored with 14 points with another three players – Fornal, Leon, and Lemanski scoring 11 apiece. In a truly collective effort, Boladz top scored with 14 points with another three players – Fornal, Leon, and Lemanski scoring 11 apiece. Mujanovic registered 20 points (including four aces) for Slovenia in their losing effort across three sets only – successfully finishing 14 of his 34 attempts in attack (41%).
Jani Kovačić“If we look at everything together, Poland were better in all elements. They were everywhere, and it was very tough to play against them today. They were simply better. We fought from the first point, but it was not enough. Now we have to forget this loss and recover as soon as possible to prepare for the bronze medal match, whoever our opponent will be.”
Libero of Slovenia
Nikola Grbic“We won in straight sets but there is never an easy match for us, we have always pressure on results. I have to say that I have the best guys in my team, they are always at my complete disposal and so I have to thank them for the commitment they had also today.”
Head coach of Poland
Aleksander Sliwka“They key today was to maintain our level of play throughout the match and keep the focus high. Slovenia always find a way to come back, and we know it: we did not start great but then we kept the level high and I am very proud of the whole team for the way we played till the end.”
Captain and outside hitter of Poland
Fabio Soli, head coach of Slovenia: “They were well prepared for the match and had a tactical plan. In my opinion, we were on the right track with our serve. They struggled a lot, especially with our float serve, but not only that. This is why I think they played a simple game, using the the outside hitters and the opposite a lot. In my opinion, we played better than in Ningbo, especially in block and defence. I think we had a lot of opportunities in the first and second sets, but we were not able to maintain the quality of our side-out. If we had been better in side-out, I think we could at least have taken one set from Poland. In the first and second sets, we had many opportunities to catch them, but we were not able to use them. In the last set, we started very well, but then the substitution of Leon with Semeniuk made the difference.”
