Will he solve Nikola Grbic’s problems? The unexpected leader of the Polish national team
Bartłomiej Lemański returned to the Polish national team in solid style. The center of the Polish volleyball team is fighting for a place for the rest of the 2026 season.
It is worth recalling that in the case of Bartłomiej Lemański, we are talking about a player who started his career in the senior Polish national team relatively quickly. The player made his debut in 2017, convincing the then Polish coach Ferdinando De Giorgi. Ultimately, however, the 217 cm tall volleyball player disappeared from the national radar.
Bartłomiej Lemański shines in VNL. Nikola Grbic got the answer
A few days ago we informed about the volleyball player’s transfer to PGE Projekt Warszawa. Lemański has had a very successful season in the ranks of PGE GiEK Skra Bełchatów. The return to his hometown of Warsaw is a clear signal that the player wants to win medals in the 2026/27 season.
Who knows, maybe Lemański will also experience standing on the podium during the national team season. The player opened the 2026 campaign solidly, convincing Nikola Grbic. The coach gives Lemański a chance, and he successfully tries to build his position in the team. In the current national team season, several vacancies have opened up in the context of center players. Suffice it to recall that the two Olympic vice-champions (2024) – Norbert Huber and Mateusz Bieniek – are not taken into account.
Lemański is the highest-ranked Pole, looking at the rankings in the ongoing Nations League. It’s no surprise that the center is one of the best blockers. After the VNL tournament in Gliwice, Lemański took fourth place, having an average of 2.5 blocks per match.
Due to coach Grbic’s rotation, there is no point in looking for other Polish names in the VNL 2026 rankings. The presence of Lemański among the best, regardless of the number of matches played, confirms that the coach made the right decision by finding a place for the player among the Polish representatives again.
Nations League: Where and when will the Polish national team play its next matches?
The last intercontinental tournament in which Poles will take part will be the competition in Chicago (July 15-19).
Who will the Polish national team play against at the tournament in an exceptionally “Polish” city on the map of the United States? The set of teams promises to be very interesting indeed. Poland will start playing in the USA with a match against the world runners-up, Bulgarians (July 15, Wednesday, 7:00 p.m.). Then… two matches in one day (18/07, Saturday), first the competition against Brazil at 3:00, and then against the Olympic champions, the French, from 23:00. For dessert, a clash with the hosts, USA – July 20 (Monday), again at 3:00. This match will also end the competition of Polish volleyball players in the intercontinental part of VNL 2026.
The Nations League finals will be held in Ningbo, China (July 30 – August 2).
