The Polish city of Gdańsk is bracing for a monumental week as the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2025 Preliminary Phase culminates on its home turf. From Wednesday to Sunday, the iconic Ergo Arena will not just host a series of volleyball matches; it will serve as the crucible where eight teams will secure their berths in the VNL Finals and one unfortunate squad will face relegation. The air is thick with anticipation, but one fixture looms largest: a highly anticipated rematch of last year`s Paris Olympics gold medal final between hosts Poland and reigning champions France.
The Rematch of the Titans: Poland vs. France
Scheduled as the grand finale of the Gdańsk leg on Sunday at 20:30 local time (18:30 GMT), the clash between Poland and France is more than just a regular league game; it`s a narrative sequel to an Olympic epic. Last August, France leveraged their home-court advantage in Paris to seize Olympic gold. This time, however, the tables are turned, with Poland set to command the fervent, often deafening, support of their home crowd. As outside hitter Aleksander Śliwka aptly put it, “The fans are always on our side, and they give us wings. We get more confident in our play, and we see our fans as a seventh player on the court for us.” It`s a sentiment that speaks volumes about the potent mix of athleticism and sheer will that will define this encounter.
Poland enters this final week in a formidable second place in the VNL standings, boasting six wins and 18 points. Their ambition extends beyond merely securing a Finals spot in Ningbo, Chiba (July 30-August 3); they`re eyeing the top position, currently held by Brazil. The Polish squad, already featuring top scorer Artur Szalpuk, will see a significant boost in firepower with the arrival of heavyweights like Wilfredo Leon, Tomasz Fornal, and Jakub Kochanowski. France, the defending VNL champions, are comfortably placed in fifth with five wins and 15 points. Their roster is stacked with talent, including Olympic champion opposite Théo Faure, who stands as the VNL`s third-highest scorer with 137 points and 14 aces. Key reinforcements such as setter Benjamin Toniutti, libero Jenia Grebennikov, opposite Jean Patry, and middle blocker Nicolas Le Goff ensure France is bringing their A-game. This Sunday showdown isn`t just about points; it`s about bragging rights, psychological advantage, and perhaps a subtle hint of what future major finals might entail.
The Qualification Gauntlet: Do-or-Die for Others
While the Polish-French spectacle captures headlines, the battle for the remaining Finals spots and the fight against relegation are equally intense. Several nations arrive in Gdańsk with everything to play for:
- Cuba: Currently ninth with four wins and 13 points, Cuba desperately needs to climb into the qualification zone. Their hopes heavily rely on the stellar performance of outside hitter Marlon Yant, the VNL`s second-best scorer with 149 points. Libero Yonder Garcia`s defensive prowess is also crucial. The addition of star middle blocker Robertlandy Simón is a significant boost. As Simón reflected, “We`ll have a difficult week here. But we`ll try to do our best, as usual, and fight until the end. We may win or lose, but we give everything we have when we`re on the court. If we have this, we can do it.” A simple, yet profoundly effective, mantra for a team facing its moment of truth.
- Iran: Holding tenth place with four victories and 12 points, Iran is another serious contender. Opposite Amin Esmaeilnezhad leads their scoring with 100 points, while outside hitter Poriya Hossein Khanzadeh boasts a VNL-leading 15 aces. Coach Roberto Piazza`s influence, as Amin noted, has been pivotal in their development, promising a stronger future for this young squad.
- Bulgaria: Positioned eleventh with four wins and 11 points, Bulgaria`s path to the Finals became considerably harder following a recent injury to setter Simeon Nikolov. While his older brother, outside hitter Aleksandar Nikolov, continues to impress with 132 points, the team faces a significant challenge. Middle blocker Aleks Grozdanov highlighted a recurring issue: “We`re a very young team, and sometimes we lose focus, which has been our main problem.” One might observe that for a professional team, “losing focus entirely” after a setback isn`t just a problem; it`s a luxury they simply cannot afford in a high-stakes tournament like the VNL. It`s a testament to the brutal unforgiving nature of top-tier competition.
China: Building Momentum as Hosts
Despite being the lowest-ranked team in Gdańsk at fifteenth with two wins and seven points, China carries a unique advantage: they are already guaranteed a spot in the Finals as the host nation. For them, this week is all about honing their performance, building team cohesion, and gaining crucial momentum. Opposites Chuan Jiang and Zihua Wen, along with outside hitter Yuantai Yu, are their leading scorers, and middle blocker Yongzhen Li`s blocking prowess (third in VNL with 23 blocks) is noteworthy. Li emphasized their goal: “Playing here this week will serve as great preparation for us. We`ll try our best to win all the matches this week.” A clear objective, indeed, as they prepare to defend their home court in the Finals.
Gdańsk Schedule: A Week of Non-Stop Volleyball
The action kicks off on Wednesday with China battling France at 13:00, followed by Bulgaria vs. Cuba at 16:30, and Iran vs. Poland at 20:00 (all times local). Thursday will see China meet Iran at 16:30 and Cuba face Poland at 20:00. The schedule remains intense through Friday and Saturday, culminating in Sunday’s triple-header: China vs. Cuba at 13:30, Bulgaria vs. Iran at 17:00, and the much-anticipated Poland vs. France clash. Every match carries immense weight, shaping the final standings and determining who progresses.
Beyond Gdańsk: The Global VNL Landscape
It`s worth remembering that the VNL 2025 Preliminary Phase is a global affair. Concurrent matches this week will also be held in Chiba, Japan (featuring hosts Japan, Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Türkiye, and the United States), and Ljubljana, Slovenia (with Slovenia, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, Serbia, and Ukraine competing). These parallel battles further underscore the global scale and competitive depth of the Volleyball Nations League, all leading to the grand Finals.
The Final Verdict
As the curtains prepare to close on the preliminary phase, Gdańsk stands as the epicentre of VNL drama. With an Olympic final rematch taking centre stage and several nations fighting tooth and nail for their tournament lives, this week promises a thrilling, unscripted narrative of athletic excellence, strategic prowess, and raw emotion. Fans of volleyball are in for a treat, witnessing the culmination of months of effort packed into five electrifying days.
