Poland Reaches Olympic Volleyball Semifinals for First Time Since 1980, Defeats Slovenia in Quarterfinals

Paris, August 5, 2024 – Poland’s men’s volleyball team has secured a place in the semifinals of the Paris 2024 Olympics, a historic achievement as they reach this stage for the first time since the Moscow 1980 Games.

The Polish squad, ranked first in the FIVB World Ranking, overcame Slovenia in a thrilling quarterfinal match at South Paris Arena 1 on Monday, marking their first advance beyond the quarterfinals in four decades.

Poland’s journey through the tournament has been notable, overcoming a series of disappointments that saw them eliminated at the quarterfinal stage in the previous five Olympic Games: Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, London 2012, Rio 2016, and Tokyo 2020.

Their resolve was evident as they defeated Slovenia 3-1 in a match that saw Poland emerge victorious with set scores of 25-20, 24-26, 25-19, and 25-20.

The quarterfinal win not only signifies Poland’s return to the semifinals but also highlights their resurgence in the international volleyball scene.

The Polish team, which claimed gold in Montreal 1976 and finished fourth in Moscow 1980, will aim to add to their illustrious history as they compete in their first Olympic semifinal since 1980.

“It’s an incredible feeling to be back in the semifinals after such a long wait,” said Polish setter Marcin Janusz.

“We tried not to focus too much on the past but rather on our performance. We knew that the only way to make a difference was to work hard on the court and showcase our abilities, which we did today. It’s a big achievement, but we must stay focused and prepare for the semifinals. Hopefully, we can continue this momentum and compete for gold.”

Poland’s path to the semifinals was powered by a standout performance from star outside hitter Wilfredo Leon, who led the team with a match-high 20 points, including 14 kills, five aces, and one block. His contribution was crucial in securing the win and advancing the team to the next stage of the competition.

Opposite Bartosz Kurek, the sole player from the current squad to have competed in the last three Olympic campaigns, added another 19 points to the tally, featuring 18 kills and one ace.

Middle blocker Jakub Kochanowski, Poland’s third-highest scorer with ten points, expressed his emotional reaction to the victory. “It’s hard to put into words how I feel right now. Tears would express it better,” Kochanowski said.

“Our team was mentally tough and approached the game with the right mindset, leading us to one of our best performances. We struggled in pool play but have picked up our rhythm as the tournament progresses. The support from our fans was incredible, especially during challenging moments.”

Slovenia, making their debut in the Olympic volleyball tournament, exited with their heads held high. The team, led by outside hitters Klemen Čebulj and Tine Urnaut, who scored 16 and 13 points respectively, put up a strong fight. Despite their loss, the Slovenian team had much to be proud of in their first Olympic appearance.

“Although we’re disappointed, we have a lot to be proud of,” said Slovenian setter Gregor Ropret.

“Poland played an outstanding match, serving effectively and putting us under constant pressure. It’s important to recognize our performance in this tournament, and we have many positives to take away. We hope to continue growing and competing among the top teams in the future.”

The match’s pivotal moment was Poland’s superior serving, which played a significant role in their victory. Poland out-served Slovenia by a margin of 12 points to five, creating opportunities that forced Slovenian errors.

The Polish team’s serving prowess led to 32 Slovenian mistakes, compared to 24 Polish errors. Poland also excelled in blocking, registering six blocks compared to Slovenia’s four, although Slovenia edged out in kills with 52 compared to Poland’s 49.

The remaining semifinal spots will be determined later on Monday. The day’s schedule features Italy versus Japan at 13:00 local time (11:00 GMT), followed by the defending champions France facing Germany at 17:00 (15:00 GMT).

The final quarterfinal match will see the United States take on Brazil at 21:00 local time (19:00 GMT), which will finalize the last semifinalist.

As Poland prepares for their semifinal clash, the team remains focused on their goal of winning gold. The players and coaching staff are aware that their journey is far from over and are ready to face the challenges ahead with determination and resilience.

Poland’s return to the Olympic semifinals is not only a testament to their skill and perseverance but also a significant moment in their volleyball history. With the semifinals just around the corner, the Polish team is set to continue their quest for Olympic glory, eager to make their mark on the Paris 2024 Games.