Poland survives another VNL tie-break, edges Turkey in Gliwice

First-set stumble

Turkey came out firing in the opening set behind the powerful attacks of Adis Lagumdzija and aggressive serving. They built an early 7:3 lead and later stretched it to 15:11. Poland clawed back to 17:17, but the set became a point-for-point battle. Turkey saved three Polish set points and converted their fourth chance to take it 28:26.

Polish fightback

In the second set Turkey again jumped ahead at 7:3, prompting a timeout from coach Nikola Grbić. The hosts responded, levelling at 13:13 before a block and attack by Aleksander Śliwka gave them a 14:13 edge. That sparked a decisive run. Poland pulled away to 19:13 and sealed the set 25:19, with Bartłomiej Lemański adding a service ace. The third set followed a similar script: Turkey edged 3:1 early and 10:8 midway, but Poland turned it around again, pushing to 18:14 and later 24:17. After squandering three set points, Grbić called time and the Poles held on to take the set. Turkey forced a tie-break before Poland closed out the match, marking its fifth straight five-setter in the competition.

Roster shifts and an injury

Grbić made two changes to the starting six from the previous day's 3:2 win over Belgium. Szymon Jakubiszak started at middle blocker and Bartłomiej Bołądź came in at opposite. Marcin Komenda returned as setter, but his substitute Jan Firlej was unavailable due to a minor calf strain suffered during pre-match warm-up. Grbić confirmed he would not rush Wilfredo León or Jakub Popiwczak into the lineup before the weekend, sticking to the original plan for the second tournament week.

“Turkey is a very demanding opponent. They showed strength by beating France 3:0. It's a team with a very strong serve and effective attack, so we expect a difficult match. Our goal remains victory. We must be prepared for the opponents' strongest assets and impose our own style of play from the start.”

What the players said

Poland's captain Aleksander Śliwka acknowledged the pressure after the match, noting that Turkey played without the psychological burden of favourites. Outside hitter Artur Szalpuk praised the energy of substitutes who entered the game, saying that a few strong words from the coach and fresh legs turned the match.

“I know they hammer the serve, that's what I've heard, so we'll need to keep the ball on high balls and away from the net.”

A nod to the World Cup

Szalpuk, the 2018 world champion, admitted he follows the football World Cup more closely than the VNL these days. He singled out France's attractive play and declared his support for Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo, remarking that it was wonderful to see old masters still shining on the biggest stage.

“If I have to choose between watching the Nations League or the World Cup, I watch the World Cup. France plays very nicely. And Portugal, of course, Cristiano Ronaldo.”