Bartosz Kurek is the absolute record holder! National team fans can be proud.
Bartosz Kurek's importance to Polish volleyball is undeniable. The multi-medalist, who boasts both more recent successes (e.g., the gold medal at the 2009 European Championships and the 2012 World League title) and more recent achievements, will once again be a key figure in the team.
Bartosz Kurek joins the ranks of record holders. Will "Kuraś" break them all?Team success is one thing; the experienced attacker of the national volleyball team is also a figure with numerous individual accolades to his name. As it turns out, the 2018 World Championship MVP will break another record in the Philippines. This time, it's the number of World Championship tournaments attended by Polish volleyball players. For Kurek, this will be his fifth.
Similar achievements include Wojciech Rutkowski (1956, 1960, 1962, 1966), Piotr Gruszka (1998, 2002, 2006, 2010), Paweł Zagumny (1998, 2006, 2010, 2014), and Krzysztof Ignaczak (1998, 2002, 2010, 2014). Kurek has played at events in 2010, 2018, and 2022, and will likely soon add an appearance at the 2025 event . Interestingly, "Kuraś" missed the event in 2014, also a golden one for Poland. At that time, coach Stephane Antiga opted for a different approach, and the long-awaited Mariusz Wlazły, among others, joined the team.
However, this doesn't change the fact that after the FIVB/Volleyball World reform, Kurek could surpass all of the aforementioned. The next World Championships are in 2027, and Poland will be the host, so who knows, maybe the leader of the so-called Łysy gang will lead his team once again. Especially since the question of Kurek's potential appearance at the Olympic tournament in Los Angeles has been raised many times. While this is a very optimistic scenario, it's not entirely impossible – and we're talking about 2028, after all.
It's worth noting that World Championship tournaments in the 21st century have been particularly successful for Polish volleyball players. Poland has won two silver medals (2006 and 2022) and two gold medals (2014 and 2018). During the tournament in the Philippines, the Polish team will be considered a candidate for the final triumph.
This is especially true after the recent gold medal at the 2025 VNL. This was the second in the history of the Nations League, with Poles previously winning in 2023. Plus, we should also remember the VNL's "predecessor," the Nations League, which Poland won in 2012.
What is the exact schedule of Polish matches?
Polish volleyball players will play in Group B at the upcoming World Championships. The Poles will face the national teams of Romania (September 13, Saturday, 3:30 p.m.), Qatar (September 15, Monday, 3:30 p.m.) and the Netherlands (September 17, Wednesday, 12:00 p.m.).
The knockout stage, i.e. the beginning of the 1/8 finals, will start on Saturday, September 20.
The composition of the national volleyball team for the 2025 World Championships- Setters: Marcin Komenda, Jan Firlej.
- Attackers: Bartosz Kurek, Kewin Sasak.
- Receiving: Tomasz Fornal, Wilfredo Leon, Kamil Semeniuk, Artur Szalpuk.
- Middle: Norbert Huber, Szymon Jakubiszak, Jakub Kochanowski, Jakub Nowak.
- Libero: Jakub Popiwczak, Maksymilian Granieczny.
The matches of the Men's Volleyball World Championship will be broadcast on Polsat Sport. The tournament will be held in the Philippines in two locations – Quezon City and Pasay.
Read also: Nikola Grbić revealed the secret of working with the Polish national team. It's a key element. Read also: The Polish national volleyball team won 4-0! An unusual result and a touching gesture.
Wprost
