Knockout in the Polish national team match! The European champions had no mercy

Coach Nikola Grbic admitted before the start of Thursday’s (September 10) match that, depending on the developing situation on the pitch, he would try to use changes. And indeed, there was an opportunity for this.

The Poles started the European Championship 2026 with the following lineup: Marcin Komenda as a playmaker, the duo of midfielders Bartłomiej Lemański and Szymon Jakubiszak, Bartłomiej Bołądź as the attacker, the duo of receivers Wilfredo Leon and Tomasz Fornal and Jakub Popiwczak as the libero.

ME 2026: Poland with a successful inauguration. Volleyball players crushed their opponents!

The first set already showed the sporting difference between Poles and Portuguese. The European champions defeated their rivals in 20 minutes, winning 25:12. Apart from the beginning of the second set, when Portugal managed to escape by a few points, although the losses were quickly made up for, it is difficult to talk about any greater history of this tournament inauguration.

For the third set, the Poles already had the starting line-up with Jakub Nowak (for Jakubiszak), Kamil Semeniuk (for Leon) and Maksymilian Granieczny (for Popiwczak). Kewin Sasak (for Bołądź) and Jan Firlej (for Komenda) also got their time – previously also operating in the so-called double substitution – and captain Aleksander Śliwka (for Fornal).

What is most important, however, is that the quality of the Poles’ play has not changed after such deep changes. In the tournament, which will last over two weeks, proper management of the players’ strength will be important. The opening kickoff against Portugal showed that the champions were ready. And the knockout, i.e. the mentioned 25:12 in the first set of the tournament, is a signal sent to the competition. Coach Grbic’s team is strong.

When will Polish volleyball players play the next matches of the European Championship 2026?

• Saturday (12/09), 3:00 p.m., Poland – Israel

• Sunday (13/09), 6:00 p.m., Poland – Macedonia

• Tuesday (15/09), 6:00 p.m., Poland – Ukraine

• Wednesday (16/09), 6:00 p.m., Bulgaria – Poland

The best four teams from each group at the tournament will advance to the 1/8 finals. Poles play their matches in Bulgaria, more specifically in Sofia. A sports hall of particular importance for Polish volleyball. In 2012, Poland won the World League finals in Sofia – in exactly the same facility.

Matches of the Men’s European Volleyball Championship are shown on Polsat open air (Poland’s match) and Polsat Sport. On the Internet, you can use the Polsat Box Go platform.