The roar of the crowd in Łódź was not for gold, nor for silver, but for a bronze medal that, for the Polish women`s national volleyball team, felt every bit as precious. On Sunday, as the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Finals culminated, Poland secured their third consecutive bronze, a feat made uniquely special by the electrifying atmosphere of their home fans at the Atlas Arena.
This victory was more than just a medal; it was a testament to resilience and a gift to a devoted audience. Having been swept by the formidable Olympic champions Italy in the semifinals just the day before, the Polish squad faced Japan with a renewed sense of purpose. The match, a hard-fought battle, concluded with Poland prevailing 3-1 (25-15, 24-26, 25-16, 25-23), solidifying their position as a consistent powerhouse in international volleyball.
A Battle of Wills and Skill
The bronze medal match against Japan was a display of calculated strategy and sheer determination. Poland started strong, dominating the first set with a decisive 25-15 victory. However, Japan, known for their tenacious defense and quick attacks, pushed back in the second set, narrowly snatching it 26-24. This hiccup only seemed to fuel Poland`s resolve. They reasserted control in the third set, winning 25-16, before closing out the match with a tight 25-23 finish in the fourth.
The statistical breakdown revealed Poland`s key advantages. While both teams ended with an even 52 kills and two aces each, Poland’s dominance at the net was undeniable, recording an impressive 15 blocks to Japan’s mere two. Additionally, the Polish team benefited from more opponent errors (30 to 24), a clear indicator of the pressure they consistently applied.
Stars on the Court
Individual brilliance shone through for Poland. Star opposite Magdalena Stysiak led the charge, delivering a match-high 18 points, comprising 16 powerful kills and two blocks. Team captain and middle blocker Agnieszka Korneluk was nothing short of spectacular, contributing 16 points through an incredible eight blocks and eight kills. Her presence at the net was a constant deterrent for the Japanese offense. Outside hitters Martyna Czyrńianska and Martyna Łukasik also reached double digits in scoring, with 12 and 11 points respectively, showcasing the team`s balanced offensive threat.
For Japan, veteran middle blocker Haruyo Shimamura was their leading scorer with 15 points (13 kills, two blocks), followed by team captain and outside hitter Mayu Ishikawa with 12 points, all from kills. Their efforts, while commendable, were ultimately insufficient to overcome Poland’s collective strength.
Emotions and Gratitude
The significance of winning on home soil was not lost on the team. Head coach Stefano Lavarini expressed profound gratitude:
“It’s fantastic for us to have won a medal here in Łódź and there’s a lot of emotions going on now. Since I started coaching Poland, every year we’ve played here and the atmosphere has always been fantastic, just like this week. I’m very happy that we got to thank our fans with a medal this time.”
Libero Aleksandra Szczygłowska echoed these sentiments, highlighting the team`s mental fortitude after the semifinal defeat:
“We didn’t play in the way we wanted in the last match, and that was really hard for us, so we were even more focused today. I’m really happy that somehow, we overcame the situation and were able to win. We also did it for our fans, it’s incredible to play in front of them, I can’t even describe it. We’ll celebrate it now, but we know we still have a lot of work to do and many areas where we can improve.”
Her words underscore the blend of elation and pragmatic forward-thinking that characterizes a truly competitive team.
A Consistent Force on the Global Stage
With this bronze medal, Poland joins an exclusive club of national teams to have secured three VNL medals in the tournament`s first seven editions. This group includes volleyball giants such as Brazil (who will secure gold or silver in 2025), Italy (gold in 2022 and 2024, and also gold or silver in 2025), the United States (gold in 2018, 2019, 2021), Türkiye (gold in 2023, silver in 2018, bronze in 2021), and China (silver in 2023, bronze in 2018 and 2019). This consistency firmly establishes Poland as a top-tier contender in women`s volleyball, even if the ultimate VNL gold continues its elusive dance.
The Road Ahead
With the VNL season concluded, both Poland and Japan will now shift their focus to the next major international challenge: the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship. This prestigious tournament is scheduled to be held in Thailand from August 22 to September 7. The VNL bronze serves as a significant morale booster and a valuable benchmark for Poland as they prepare for what promises to be another demanding competition on the global stage. The consistent pursuit of excellence, demonstrated by their repeated podium finishes, suggests they will be a force to be reckoned with.
Rupert Caldwell