A blow for the Polish national team! A key player of the national team is injured

The Wagner Memorial gathered four strong teams this year. Matches in Krakow are played in a round-robin format, so each team has three matches to play.

At the inauguration, fans saw a clash of two world powers. The US team, silver medalists of the Nations League, had to acknowledge the superiority of the Olympic champions from France. The Tricolor team won 3-0, although the Americans were very close in each set (28:26, 25:21, 25:23).

Wagner Memorial 2026. The last test of the Poles before the European Championship

However, the greatest emotions appeared before the match between the White and Reds. For the team led by Nikola Grbic, the Wagner Memorial is the last serious test before the European Championships, which will be held on September 9-26.

From the very beginning, the Serb wanted his players to face demanding rivals in Krakow. – I wanted to face the strongest teams possible. When we were planning these matches, I was aware that each team would be preparing for the continental tournament. It was very difficult to invite these rivals, but fortunately we managed to do so, the coach emphasized.

He was particularly interested in confrontation with France and Slovenia. – These are teams that aim to win the European Championship. I also wanted to play against Italy, but they organize their own tournament, so it wasn’t possible. Despite this, we have really great opponents, said the coach.

Wagner Memorial. Poland – Slovenia. Leon is the hero of the end!

The Poles’ first rival in Krakow was Slovenia. A disturbing situation occurred at the very beginning of the match. Bartłomiej Lemański stood accidentally, trying to block his opponent. The midfielder of PGE Projekt Warszawa had to leave the pitch. It is not yet known how serious the injury is.

As for the result, the beginning of the match was very even, although the Slovenians had a slight advantage for a long time. Poland was already losing 1:4but quickly started to make up for the losses. After effective attacks by Tomasz Fornal and Bartłomiej Bołądź, the White and Reds returned to the game, and 12:11 After a block on Rok Mozic, they took the lead for the first time.

From that moment on, neither team was able to break away, and errors in the service area were regular. The ending got really tense. An important block on Mujanovic gave the White and Reds the lead 21:19and after subsequent actions it happened 23:21. But then the Slovenians started to make up for their losses.

The Poles got the first chance to close the set at 24:22but they didn’t use it. First, the rivals scored a point, and a moment later Wilfredo Leon was stopped with a block. By 25:24 Bołądź won the next set point. This time Leon took responsibility. Wilfredo Leon sent a service ace to end the first game 26:24.

Wagner Memorial. Poland – Slovenia. Match result

The second set did not go according to the White and Reds’ wishes from the beginning. The Slovenians quickly jumped back 5:1and Nikola Grbic already had to ask for a break. The Poles tried to get back into the game, but their rivals did not lose their advantage.

When standing 12:14 The Poles made contact, and after the block on Tine Urnaut it was all that was left 10:11. However, Slovenia jumped back again, mainly thanks to the successful Nik Mujanovic and Rok Mozic. The end belonged to the guests. Saso Stalekar’s ace gave the lead 19:23and a moment later Mujanović won the set points.

The Poles defended one of them after Leon’s successful attack, but the Slovenians did not allow any more. Jan Kozamernik finished the set and Slovenia won 25:21leading to a draw in Krakow 1:1.

Wagner Memorial 2026. Poland regains the lead

The third set started much better for the Poles than the previous one. Nikola Grbic’s players jumped right back 4:0and after the block on Rok Mozic they were already ahead 6:1. The Slovenians tried to respond, but the hosts quickly regained control.

Kamil Semeniuk gave a lot of good things in this fragment. The Pole scored both from the second line and in a straight line, and added another point with an impressive kiwka. The block on Klemen Sen was over 13:8 for Poland, and a moment later the advantage increased to five points.

The White and Reds did not allow their rivals to make a serious comeback. When standing 24:18 The Poles had several set balls. The Slovenians defended the first one, but on the next one Klemen Sen sent the ball into the car. Poland won the set 25:19 and took the lead in the match again – 2:1.

Poles are one step away from victory. The Slovenians led to a tie-break

The fourth set was a real point-for-point war for a long time. The Poles started by leading 3:1but the Slovenians quickly made up for the losses and were still on the same level 9:10 After Rok’s ace, Bracko took the lead..

Artur Szalpuk showed off effective actions twice and with 14:14 led to a draw, and a moment later Poland was again in front. However, the Slovenians responded with a series of points and after Bartłomiej Bołądź’s mistakes they were already leading 15:18.

The ending got tense. By 20:23 The Slovenians had set points, but then Jakub Majchrzak entered the game. First he sent an ace, and a moment later he added another one, reducing the loss to 22:24. The Poles saved one more set point after Szymon Jakubiszak’s action, but Nik Mujanovic ended the set. Slovenia won 25:23 and led to a draw 2:2.

Poland – Slovenia at the Wagner Memorial. Emotions in the tie-break!

The tie-break went according to the White and Reds’ wishes from the very beginning. Kamil Semeniuk opened the decisive game, and after Artur Szalpuk’s block and Rok Bračko’s stop, the Poles were already leading 3:0.

However, the Slovenians quickly caught on after Bracko’s ace. The Poles responded with effective attacks by Kewin Sasak and Jakub Majchrzak, and after Szalpuk’s ace it was already 8:4 for the White and Reds. The lead began to grow to six points.

By 13:10 we still had a tense ending. Aleksander Śliwka and Kewin Sasak were detained in a block. When was it? 14:10 Bracko made a mistake in the field of service. Artur Szalpuk ended the tie-break with an effective attack 15:11 and The Poles won the entire match 3:2.

On Saturday, August 29, the Poles will face the USA, and a day later the White and Reds’ rivals will be France.