The Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2025 has once again delivered its customary blend of high-stakes drama and athletic brilliance. As Week 3 commenced, two nations, Poland and Slovenia, welcomed the tournament to their home soil. What transpired in Gdańsk and Ljubljana was a testament to the unpredictable nature of elite volleyball, with one particular star’s debut stealing the show and reminding everyone why a good bench can sometimes be a coach’s most potent weapon.
Gdańsk Erupts: Poland`s Five-Set Thriller Against Iran
For the nearly 9,000 expectant fans packed into the Ergo Arena in Gdańsk, Poland`s first home match of VNL 2025 against Iran was perhaps a more arduous affair than anticipated. Yet, it culminated in a jubilant triumph, a hard-fought 3-2 (25-19, 23-25, 25-18, 21-25, 15-8) victory that sent the home crowd into raptures. The catalyst for this dramatic turn of events? None other than the return of Olympic silver medalist Wilfredo Leon.
Leon, rested for the initial two weeks of the VNL, began the match on the sidelines. However, as the contest against a resilient Iranian squad tightened, Polish head coach Nikola Grbić made the strategic decision to deploy his star outside hitter. It was a move that instantly shifted the momentum. Leon, stepping onto the court for his VNL 2025 debut, wasn`t just present; he was dominant, contributing a remarkable 14 points (nine kills, five aces). His impact was particularly pronounced in the decisive fourth and fifth sets, where he led all scorers with six and five points, respectively, showcasing his legendary clutch performance.
“It was a very tough match, but in the end we managed to come back to the basics and take the win,” Leon remarked post-match. With a hint of professional irony, he added, “But on the other hand, I was happy that it was 3-2 because the fans could stay longer. I’ve been preparing myself for so many years to be able to help in the big moments. I’ve been trying to do my best every time, and I’m happy that today I was able to help the team again.”
While Leon provided the match-winning spark, the Polish effort was undeniably collective. Fellow outside hitter Kamil Semeniuk led the team with an impressive 21 points (16 kills, four aces, one block), and opposite Kewin Sasak added 13 points (11 kills, two aces). For Iran, Amin Esmaeilnezhad mirrored Semeniuk`s scoring with 21 points (19 kills, one block, one ace), while Morteza Sharifi contributed 16 points.
This hard-earned victory propelled Poland to third place in the VNL 2025 standings, with seven wins and 20 points. Iran, despite securing a valuable point against the FIVB World Ranking leaders, remains outside the qualification zone for the Finals, positioned 12th with four wins and 13 points. The road ahead for both teams is still long, but this clash served as a potent reminder of the fine margins in elite volleyball.
Slovenia`s Solid Start in Ljubljana
Meanwhile, in Slovenia`s capital, Ljubljana, another home crowd eagerly welcomed their national team. Their debut match, while not quite the nail-biting epic seen in Gdańsk, was a solid demonstration of their prowess. Slovenia recovered from a first-set deficit to overcome Canada 3-1 (21-25, 25-21, 25-19, 25-21).
Securing all three points was a crucial step for the Slovenians, propelling them from 12th to eighth in the standings, placing them just outside the current qualification zone for the Finals with five wins and 14 points. Canada, now 14th with three wins and 11 points, faces a steeper climb.
Opposite Tonček Štern was the driving force behind Slovenia`s resurgence, tallying a match-high 21 points (19 kills, two aces). Outside hitters Rok Možič and Žiga Štern also delivered strong performances, contributing 13 and 12 points respectively. The synergy with their home fans was palpable, as team captain Jan Kozamernik noted:
“It’s hard not to play well with the support we get here. The fans were by our side and we know that in front of them we can play amazing volleyball. This victory is the first step for us to qualify for the Finals, and we have to build on this and play even better in the next matches.”
For Canada, Brodie Hofer led with 11 points (eight kills, three blocks), closely followed by Xander Ketrzynski`s ten kills.
A Glimpse at Other Week 3 Action
Wednesday`s VNL action was prolific across both host cities. In Gdańsk, France mounted a comeback to defeat China 3-1 (22-25, 25-22, 25-23, 25-17), and Cuba narrowly edged out Bulgaria 3-2 (23-25, 25-16, 23-25, 27-25, 15-13). In Ljubljana, Ukraine secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over the Netherlands (25-21, 20-25, 20-25, 26-24, 15-13), while Italy delivered a dominant performance, sweeping Serbia 3-0 (25-15, 25-14, 25-16).
As the VNL 2025 continues, every match holds significant weight. The coming days promise more intense contests as teams battle for crucial points and positions in the standings. The electrifying atmosphere of home courts, as witnessed in Gdańsk and Ljubljana, will undoubtedly continue to fuel these compelling narratives.
