Poland sweeps Latvia 3-0 to set up European Championship quarter-final against Germany

Poland sweeps Latvia in Sofia

Poland secured a place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Men's European Volleyball Championship with a 3-0 victory against Latvia in Sofia on Saturday. The Polish side controlled the match from the opening points, closing sets with scores of 25-16 and 25-17. Head coach Nikola Grbić used the fixture to give minutes to his reserve bench, noting that large differences in quality are standard in a 16-team knockout round, similar to Poland's 3-0 win against Tunisia at the 2022 World Championship. Grbić noted that matches against lower-ranked teams such as Latvia, Portugal, Israel, and North Macedonia provide few tactical insights. He stated that the primary objective was completing the victory efficiently without losing focus before more demanding playoff stages.

Squad rotation and tactical discipline

The fixture allowed Grbić to evaluate his depth, bringing libero Maksymilian Granieczny and opposite hitter Kewin Sasak onto the court. Sasak, who avoided shoulder surgery late in 2025 through conservative therapy and scored 10 points during the Nations League, continues in a backup role behind starter Bartłomiej Bołądź. Grbić also introduced 21-year-old middle blocker Jakub Nowak in the third set, but replaced him after three errors on three ball contacts. The coach explained that Nowak ignored tactical directions to attack zone one and instead hit toward zone five, where Latvian blockers stopped him twice.

If you listen to my instructions, you will play, and if not, then you will not. That is not my impression or a whim. I have statistics, analysis, video, and efficiency data. It is mathematics.

Germany completes comeback to eliminate Bulgaria

Poland's quarter-final opponent was determined when Germany defeated tournament co-hosts Bulgaria 3-2 after falling behind by two sets on Saturday evening. Missing two injured starters, the German squad recovered from the 0-2 deficit to eliminate the world championship runners-up and enter the European Championship top eight for the first time in five years. Middle blocker Anton Brehme competed with a swollen ankle, while outside hitter Moritz Reichert remarked that overcoming a partisan home crowd gives Germany confidence for the next round. Reichert added that entering the match against the world ranking leaders as clear outsiders allows the German squad to play with freedom.

For me, Poland is the strongest team in the tournament, but they will have to prove it. I hope that we play with heart just like today, for our injured teammates and our families, and then maybe we can achieve something.

Grbić on Bulgarian pressure and the quarter-final matchup

Assessing the German victory, Grbić dismissed claims that Bulgaria suffered from exhaustion following their 3-2 win against Poland on Wednesday. He argued that the young Bulgarian roster struggled with the psychological burden of public expectations to win the European title on home soil. Grbić cited Bulgaria's Nations League campaign in Chicago, where they defeated the United States 3-1 before losing 0-3 to France in a decisive qualification match. He noted that experienced sides like Poland, Italy, and France are accustomed to elimination pressure. Poland will face Germany in the quarter-finals in Sofia on Tuesday, 22 September, ahead of the tournament finale on 26 September.