Poland go for the top spot
One of the two national teams set to play in Gdańsk to start the week inside the qualification zone for the Finals, Poland are in second place in the VNL standings, with six wins and 18 points. The Europeans want not only to secure a spot in the Finals, which are going to be held in Ningbo, Chiba, from July 30-August 3, but also to challenge Brazil (seven wins, 20 points) for the top spot in the standings. Outside hitter Artur Szalpuk is the team’s top scorer in the VNL with 98 points. This week, the Polish will have increased firepower with outside hitters Wilfredo Leon and Tomasz Fornal and middle blocker Jakub Kochanowski joining the team.
“Playing at home is an amazing feeling for us,” outside hitter Aleksander Śliwka remarked. “Being in the Polish national team and being able to play in front of fans like the ones we have is a big privilege. The fans are always on our side, and they give us wings. We get more confident in our play, and we see our fans as a seventh player on the court for us.”
Defending champions France, which rank fifth with five wins and 15 points, are also in a good spot to qualify for the Finals. Olympic champion opposite Théo Faure is the team’s top scorer, ranking third overall in the VNL with 137 points – he’s also third in aces with 14. Middle blocker François Huetz (second in blocks with 26), setter Amir Tizi-Oualou (the third-best in the position with 200 actions) and libero Benjamin Diez (sixth in passes with 45) are other important players in the French campaign. Setter Benjamin Toniutti, libero Jenia Grebennikov, opposite Jean Patry and middle blocker Nicolas Le Goff will all be with the team in Gdańsk.