Poland looks to cap its 2025 FIVB Men's World Championship campaign with a podium finish as it battles Czechia for the bronze medal.
World no. 1 Poland will try to end their 2025 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship campaign on a high when they face Czechia in the bronze medal match on Sunday, September 28, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Poland saw its unbeaten run snapped in the semifinals after falling to defending champion Italy in straight sets, 21-25, 22-25, 23-25.
Wilfredo Leon was the lone bright spot, finishing with 14 points, while the rest of the Polish offense struggled to find rhythm. Veteran Bartosz Kurek, hampered by injury, was deployed as a libero and did not see action in the front line.
For Poland to secure its fifth podium finish in the last six World Championships, the supporting cast of Jakub Kochanowski, Tomasz Fornal, and Kamil Semeniuk will need to step up alongside Leon’s firepower.
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Czechia, meanwhile, also enters the playoff for third place following a four-set loss to Bulgaria in the semis. Lukas Vasina led the team with 17 points, while Jan Galabov and Patrik Indra chipped in 13 and 10, respectively.
With both squads eager to bounce back from semifinal heartbreak, Poland will look to rely on its depth and experience to finish the tournament with hardware.
First serve is set for 2:30 p.m.
(With reports from Kiko Demigillo)
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[Editor’s note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]