Poland stays unbeaten in Gliwice home leg as Wilfredo Leon returns to power VNL dominance

Poland closes undefeated home stand

The Polish men's national team wrapped up the Gliwice leg of the Volleyball Nations League without a loss, defeating Argentina on Sunday to maintain a perfect 4‑0 record in front of over 11,000 fans per match. The run began with two hard‑fought tie‑break wins over Belgium and Turkey in mid‑week, followed by a 3‑1 victory over Germany on Saturday and a come‑from‑behind performance against Argentina in the finale. The team’s schedule in Gliwice unfolded as follows:

The wins pushed Poland firmly into the race for a spot in the VNL Finals, with the group sitting three points clear of the chasing pack.

Leon’s return reshapes the team

The biggest story of the week was the return of outside hitter Wilfredo Leon, who had not played for the national side in six weeks after his club campaign with Bogdanka LUK Lublin. Thrown straight into the starting six against Germany, Leon scored 17 points (including two aces), delivered 14 kills from 23 swings, and passed with nearly 50‑percent positive reception rate. Beyond the numbers, his presence gave the setter more options and forced opposing blockers to adjust.

When a player like that joins the team, it immediately brings added value. He is a great person, an outstanding player, and his presence on court always gives the team something extra.

Middle blocker Szymon Jakubiszak noted that Leon’s serves still topped 120 km/h even though he was not yet at full fitness. His impact allowed Poland to finally break a streak of six consecutive opening‑set losses, as they bounced back from dropping the first frame against Germany to win the next three sets in commanding fashion.

Bołądź carries the scoring load

While Leon’s return grabbed headlines, opposite hitter Bartłomiej Bołądź was the offensive engine of the Germany match, racking up 21 points (four aces) and earning high praise from coach Nikola Grbić, who called it “one of his best matches in the national team.” The Volleyball World website highlighted Bołądź as the driving force in front of nearly 12,000 fans. Grbić expressed hope that the 29‑year‑old could sustain that level of play through the remainder of the tournament.

Argentina shows fight, but Poland prevails

Argentina arrived in Gliwice after an 0‑4 showing in Quebec, but the team underwent a visible transformation. Behind experienced setter Luciano De Cecco and the return of captain Agustín Loser, the South Americans produced a pair of wins in Gliwice, including an upset of Germany and a tie‑break thriller against Turkey. Argentine federation notes described “a clear change of face” and praised the stabilization of block and defense.

The hardest match awaits us. I hope we can maintain the level we had in the last three sets against Germany.

Grbić’s words proved prescient. Poland fell behind early in Sunday’s finale, losing the first set and surrendering large leads, but then rallied to take control – mirroring the pattern of the entire home leg. After the turnaround, they were able to close out the match without dropping another set, finishing the week undefeated.

There is no reason to underestimate Argentina. I expect a tough match, because everyone wants to dump on the Poles. I think it will be a good game.

Looking ahead

Poland now heads into a break before traveling to Chicago for the next VNL leg, where they hold a provisional spot in the finals. Grbić will be hoping the return of Leon and the emergence of Bołądź as a reliable scoring option can carry the squad through the remaining pool play. The team ends the Gliwice tournament with three points of cushion over the pursuing group, well positioned to secure a berth in the season‑ending finals.