Poland – Italy, or the clash of giants. There are bills to be equalized

There will be those who have twice gold from the Olympic tournaments in Tokyo (2021) and Paris (2024), will put higher than the successes of Italians and Poles. Then it would come out that France is the number 1 among male volleyball teams. However, if you look at the FIVB ranking, Poles are the leaders, and the runner -up volleyballers of Italy. So current European champions (2023) and world champions (2022).

League of nations: Giants’ clash for gold in China! Poles will go gold?

The history of Polish-Italian competition is very interesting, looking at the last years. Many threads are intertwined. The first one, which is right right away, are the last two finals of very important events for European national teams. Just with the participation of Poles and Italians.

In 2022, in the Katowice Spodek, the first serious test of the national team commanded by the new coach Nikola Grbcia, volleyballers passed on silver. Although the Poles, defending the two -time title of World Champions (2014 and 2018), began with a winning set, but the next three fell prey to Italy. An additional flavor was added by the fact that the Italians reached for the title under a baton … a former coach of the Polish team. Ferdinando de Giorgi did not work in the role of coach of the Polish national team (gently speaking), but certainly to pull the gold medal of the World Championships the hosts, had a unique taste for him.

Only after a year, however, the time came for a severe rematch. Sky, because it did not end at 1: 3, and on a more substantial defeat. This time, however, Poles were the mountain, winning the final of the European championships. Not only that, the final playing took place – how differently – on the Apennine Peninsula. In Rome, Poland won with Italy 3: 0.

Interestingly, the clear “difference” in both finals is the figure of Wilfredo Leon. During the 2022 World Cup, the coach Grbić did not have in the composition of the host who was just returning to training after injury and serious surgery. A year later, Leon not only found himself in the tournament team, but was chosen the MVP of the Final of the Golden European Championships.

Now it’s time for the VNL final. Here also an interesting story, namely Italians since 2018 – that is, from the moment when the World League has become a league of nations – not once (!) They did not stand on the podium of this event. What’s more, they were the hosts of the final tournament twice (Rimini in 2021 and Bologna in 2022), but this did not help in any, even the slightest success. Therefore, you do not have to worry about motivation from the Italians for Sunday.

Poles? They have five medals in their achievements, of which one zloty, from 2023. If they get the title, they will jump at the VNL classification. For now, the French and Russians have two golden discs. Poland has one gold, silver and three bronze medals.

In the context of VNL, it is also worth noting that both teams met in the intercontinental phase of this year’s edition. Italia triumphed in Chicago, but winning 3: 2 after a solid battle with Poles.

VNL 2025: Poland – Italy for gold medals! When and where to watch the final?

The match will start on Sunday (i.e. August 3) at 13:00 Polish time.

Italians defeated Slovenians in the semi -final. From 9:00 Polish time, Slovenes and Brazilians will play for brown VNL discs.

All matches of the VNL 2025 final tournament will be shown at Polsat Sport antennas. In addition, the Polish national team matches will be in the Polsat open channel schedule. Online broadcasts will be on the Polsat Box Go platform.