Poland defends European volleyball title by defeating France
Poland captured back-to-back European volleyball titles by defeating France 3-1 at the Unipol Forum di Assago in Milano. The victory marks Poland’s third EuroVolley championship and secures their qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, making them the first team to win consecutive European titles since Italy achieved the feat in 2003 and 2005.
Match Dynamics and Set-by-Set Breakdown
The gold medal match showcased high-tempo play, with Poland conceding only a single set before closing out the victory 29-31, 19-25, 25-20, 16-25. Following a video mapping show and a sell-out crowd atmosphere, Wilfredo Leon opened the match with three consecutive aces to set an aggressive tone. France regrouped under head coach Andrea Giani, trading leads through strong performances from Mathis Henno and Théo Faure, but Poland’s depth eventually overwhelmed the opposition.
Poland’s collective roster strength proved decisive as five players finished in double figures: Bartlomiej Boladz led with 16 points, Wilfredo Leon and Fornal contributed 13 each, Bartlomiej Lemanski added 12, and Slawomir Semeniuk chipped in 10. Despite Mathis Henno and Théo Faure top-scoring for France with 20 and 18 points respectively, Les Bleus lacked equivalent alternatives on the bench to counter Poland’s tactical substitutions and relentless offensive pressure.
Historical Milestones and Coaching Legacy
Under the guidance of head coach Nikola Grbic, Poland has now claimed 10 medals across all international competitions contested during his tenure. Grbic also cemented a rare historical milestone, joining Italy’s Ferdinando De Giorgi and Andrea Anastasi as the sole individuals to win EuroVolley as both a player and a head coach.
Wilfredo Leon earned the Most Valuable Player award for the competition following his commanding performance throughout the tournament and the final match. The White-and-Reds established themselves firmly as the top force in European volleyball, finishing the tournament having dropped only four sets in total—three during pool play against Bulgaria and one against France in the final.
Post-Match Reactions
Reflecting on the victory and the raucous environment inside the Milano arena, head coach Nikola Grbic highlighted the physical challenges posed by the opponent and the unwavering dedication of the traveling supporters. “It is an incredible feeling – we played a great match against a truly tough opponent, who made things difficult for us,” Grbic said. “I would like to thank our fans; they travel across the whole world to support us and the atmosphere was amazing tonight as well. It feels great to win such a competition and qualify for the Olympics in such an environment.”
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