"Oczko" (Eyelash) of the Polish national volleyball team! Let's learn to celebrate success

First, I'd like to apologize to the female volleyball players, but this time it's only about the men. Although the fantastic team of the late Andrzej Niemczyk blazed a forgotten trail of success for Polish volleyball, winning a double European Championship gold (2003 and 2005), I'll divide this world by gender. I'll also divide it somewhat by merit, looking at the 21st-century showcase as a whole, but only slightly. This doesn't diminish the more beautiful and talented part of the volleyball world in Poland.

21 medals for Polish volleyball players in the 21st century! An impressive "eye"

A few days have passed since Nikola Grbić's success in the Volleyball Nations League, and Nikola Grbić's "golden team" has spent most of their time on vacation. And rightly so, because volleyball is no different from other sports, and perhaps even unique—though not necessarily in a positive way—in terms of the schedule's hectic schedule. Club competitions end, a few days later, and national team training camps begin. If you happen to be a volleyball player who, for example, still has a chance to play in crucial European competitions at the end of the club season—and there have been at least a few Polish examples in recent years—then days off should be counted in hours, not days or weeks.

However, I'm not talking about the schedule or the ideas of the FIVB (World Volleyball World) and CEV (European) federations here, but about the scale of the Polish national volleyball team's success. Because with gold medals at these most important events, even if the VNL is a step below the European or World Championships, the winners always get a lot of attention. This was no different. I think the overall message was the continued success of Polish volleyball. Looking at the men's team, where it all began in 2006, it continues to this day. And it will likely continue for years to come, because, contrary to the famous saying, Poles can do it.

Besides, I've listed all these results in one place. Counting only the 21st century achievements, meaning 2001, there were 21 medals.

Medals of the Polish national volleyball team in the 21st century

• Olympic Games: 2025 (silver)
• World Championships: 2006 (silver), 2014 (gold), 2018 (gold), 2022 (silver)
• European Championships: 2009 (gold), 2011 (bronze), 2019 (bronze), 2021 (bronze), 2023 (gold)
• World League: 2011 (bronze), 2012 (gold)
• Nations League: 2019 (bronze), 2021 (silver), 2022 (bronze), 2023 (gold), 2024 (bronze), 2025 (gold)
• World Cup: 2011 (silver), 2015 (bronze), 2019 (silver)

Actually, we could end there. Volleyball shows that it's possible to build a system in Poland that works. But without the right, open-minded people, the system would be meaningless. This is crucial to implementing an idea that germinated years ago and has found its way into reality. Not just the one enshrined in subsidies, handshakes at appeals, or other pedestals boasted about by successive governments. And then again. And then again...

For this to happen, money was, is, and will always be needed. Above all, it's the healthy, positive energy that attracts people to volleyball. From families in the stands to the crowds at league and national team matches. I've often heard people say that a weekend with a Polish national team match in the summer is the perfect idea for a successful, short vacation. And if a tournament happens, even a longer vacation is possible.

A national treasure worth cherishing. Because it is a common good.

Comparisons to soccer? Pointless. Globally, soccer is far superior to any other sport. Poland is no exception, so there's no point in playing popularity contests. It's worth taking a broader look at sporting successes (a.k.a. volleyball). Instead of envying, appreciate. Instead of demanding, support.

I've heard about basketball's successes in Poland, and even saw them for a while, but ultimately, it hasn't translated into consistent development – whether in terms of popularity, league level, or national team competition. I'm writing this on the eve of EuroBasket, which will also be played at the Spodek Arena in Katowice. I wish the basketball players all the best, as do the handball players. Handball also had its moments of glory, including World Championship medals. However, a generation has passed, and today, handball players can see the decline of volleyball, just like Polish basketball.

Is this malice? No. Perhaps volleyball hubris? No, this is a realistic look at the current state of Polish team sports. Somewhere in there (looking at the calendar) are the seasonal speedway and ski jumping events – also important for this list. The queen of sports? It's heartwarming to see the Silesian Stadium packed, even during the athletics Diamond League. It's truly magical, but not the kind you'd expect from a team event every day.

Tennis? Iga Świątek is a phenomenon, a figure who brings immense joy, but it's difficult to fit the Polish champion into some magical system for developing Polish tennis. Unfortunately, that's not the case.

Therefore, the success of Polish volleyball should be more than just a smack-dab over the achievements of coach Nikola Grbić's team. It should also be motivation for other sports communities. In this case, there's no coincidence, just praise for systematic, systematic actions. Polish pride didn't prove to be the most important or the only right thing to do. Years ago, other, foreign experts began to be listened to, with national team coaches at the forefront, so that years later, Poland would once again be looked at as a sporting example. The volleyball example.

Successors emerged under Piotr Gruszka, Sebastian Świderski, and Dawid Murek. In fact, Bartosz Kurek even played alongside his older teammates in the national team during their time there. Michał Winiarski, Mariusz Wlazły, and Paweł Zagumny retired – a generation emerged, led by Jakub Kochanowski and Tomasz Fornal. And when you add Wilfredo Leon, a volleyball phenomenon for many years, the Los Angeles Games and a run for Olympic gold doesn't sound so improbable after all.

So let's learn to celebrate earned successes, such as those in volleyball. Without being snarky about how few countries practice this sport (I recommend taking a look at the volleyball-obsessed Asian market) or pointing to Italy's poor form in the Nations League final. For me, such speculations—after years of listening to them—only evoke a retch reflex.

I definitely recommend smiling more. That's what I wish for everyone reading these words.

Read also: Iga Świątek's Wimbledon victory "from the inside." A mental coach discusses the Polish player's changes. Read also: Polish volleyball players cheated fate! A wild match and a triumph for the Poles.