Argentina on top at the Hubert Wagner Memorial

Argentina overcame three other national teams that are also set to participate in the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship from September 12-28 in the Philippines and triumphed in the 22^nd edition of the traditional Hubert Wagner Memorial tournament on Sunday.

Competing in the event, which this year served as preparation for the World Championship, for the third time, they completed their medal collection after taking bronze in 2012 and silver in 2022 with victories over Brazil, Serbia and hosts Poland in Kraków over the weekend.

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The Argentineans faced continental rivals Brazil in their first match in the tournament, on Friday, and didn’t give them a chance, triumphing 3-0 (25-20, 25-22, 25-21). Opposite Pablo Kukartsev led the team with 15 points, followed by outside hitter Luciano Vicentín, who scored 12. Opposite Darlan Souza produced 12 for the Brazilians.

On Saturday, the South Americans met Serbia and again prevailed in straight sets (25-20, 25-18, 25-17). This time, middle blocker Joaquín Gallego was their leading scorer with 11 points, one more than Vicentín. Middle blocker Petar Krsmanović registered nine points for the Europeans.

The title was confirmed on Sunday, when Argentina faced hosts Poland and produced their third victory in the weekend, winning 3-1 (25-20, 21-25, 25-19, 26-24). Outside hitter Luciano Palonsky played a key role in their success, contributing 17 points, three more than Kukartsev. Star outside hitter Wilfredo León and veteran opposite Bartosz Kurek tallied 14 each for the home team.

“I’m very glad that we managed to play at such a high level this week,” setter Matías Sánchez remarked. “Today was the most difficult match for us because Poland have incredible players and crazy fans on the stands.”

Kukartsev was awarded as the tournament’s MVP, while Sánchez appeared as the best setter and Gallego as the top blocker. Kurek was honored as the best attacker, while Brazil’s Maique Nascimento was the best libero and Lukas Bergmann received an award for the best reception.

After beating Poland 3-0 (25-23, 25-20, 25-23) on Saturday and Serbia 3-1 (25-18, 22-25, 25-19, 27-25) on Sunday, Brazil finished second. Poland, which swept (25-20, 25-13, 25-22) Serbia on Friday, ended up in third place.

Argentines and Brazilians will continue in Poland for a few more days before heading to Asia and are set to play friendlies in the country. The South American rivals will face off on Tuesday in Sosnowiec, while Brazil is also scheduled to play against Poland on Thursday in Łódź.

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