Poland beats France 3-1 to retain European volleyball title and qualify for 2028 Olympics

European title defence in Milan

Poland retained their men's European volleyball championship on Saturday, 26 September 2026, defeating France 3-1 in the final at Assago near Milan. The set scores of 31-29, 25-19, 20-25, 25-16 secured Poland their third continental title in team history, following earlier tournament victories in 2009 and 2023. Head coach Nikola Grbic guided the squad to back-to-back European gold medals while also securing direct qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Poland entered the championship match holding the top position in the world rankings and maintained total control throughout the knockout stages, reaching the final without dropping a single set across their preceding three fixtures.

Video challenge decides opening set

The championship match hinged on a contentious conclusion to the opening frame. France appeared to secure the first set after reaching 27-25, but a video review requested by the Polish coaching staff revealed a net fault committed by the French defense. The reversal eliminated France's advantage and extended the set, allowing Poland to capitalize on subsequent transition attacks and take the frame 31-29. In the second set, the defending champions established dominance early, opening a 10-point lead over France. Polish outside hitter Wilfredo Leon and middle blocker Bartlomiej Lemanski controlled the net with aggressive blocking and attacking, steering Poland to a 25-19 win that established a two-set cushion.

French resistance and decisive fourth frame

Facing elimination in straight sets, France adjusted their tactics in the third frame under head coach Andrea Giani and team captain Antoine Brizard. The entry of substitute middle blocker Mousse Gueye shifted momentum at the net, with Gueye recording five blocks to disrupt the Polish attacking rhythm. Combined with scoring contributions from outside hitter Mathis Henno and opposite Théo Faure, France maintained a steady lead to claim the set 25-20 and end Poland's streak of consecutive sets won. However, Poland responded immediately in the fourth frame. Restoring their serve pressure and floor defense, Grbic's squad pulled away in the middle phase of the set to close out a 25-16 win on their first match point.

Tournament context and Olympic qualification

The final provided Poland with a reversal of the Paris 2024 Olympic tournament, where France had defeated the Polish team to claim Olympic gold. The continental crown added to Poland's 2026 trophy haul, which already included a gold medal in the Volleyball Nations League won earlier in the summer. For France, the silver medal marked a strong performance for a younger squad constructed in late May 2026, following a period where several veteran players stepped aside from national team duties. France reached their first European final since their 2015 tournament victory under Laurent Tillie by defeating Finland in the semi-final, improving upon fourth-place finishes in 2019 and 2023. At ASB Reze, a club in the Nantes suburbs where French players Antoine Pothron, Simon Magnin, and Mathis Henno initially developed, local supporters gathered to watch the team conclude the tournament with silver.