Super sub Leon takes Poland to victory in first home match

Poland’s first home match in the Volleyball Nations League 2025 was probably more eventful than the almost 9,000 fans that packed the Ergo Arena in Gdańsk would have hoped, but it still had a happy ending for them as the Europeans prevailed in a five-set battle against Iran on Wednesday.

Counting on significant contributions from star outside hitter Wilfredo Leon, who made his VNL 2025 debut coming off the bench, the Paris 2024 Olympic silver medalists pushed hard to triumph 3-2 (25-19, 23-25, 25-18, 21-25, 15-8) and send their fans back home with smiles in their faces

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Rested in the first two weeks of the VNL 2025, Leon started the match against the Iranians on the bench, but was sent to the court by head coach Nikola Grbić when the match was on the line and helped his team come out on top, producing 14 points (nine kills, five aces). The 31-year-old Polish star was the top scorer of the last two sets, scoring six points in the fourth and five on the fifth.

Leon was Poland’s second-best scorer in the match, behind fellow outside hitter Kamil Semeniuk, who led the team with 21 points (16 kills, four aces, one block), and ahead of opposite Kewin Sasak, who tallied 13, with 11 kills and two aces.

“It was a very tough match, but in the end we managed to come back to the basics and take the win,” Leon said. “But on the other hand, I was happy that it was 3-2 because the fans could stay longer. I’ve been preparing myself for so many years to be able to help in the big moments. I’ve been trying to do my best every time, and I’m happy that today I was able to help the team again.”

Iranian star opposite Amin Esmaeilnezhad matched Semeniuk’s production, leaving the court with 19 kills, one block and one ace. Outside hitter Morteza Sharifi also had a productive night, registering 16 points (ten kills, four aces, two blocks).

With the home victory, Poland made it to third place in the VNL 2025 standings, with seven wins and 20 points. The point earned against the FIVB World Ranking leaders could prove vital to Iran in the race to qualify for the Finals, but right now the Asians are outside the qualification zone, in 12^th place, with four wins and 13 points.

Earlier on Wednesday in Gdańsk, France came back to beat China 3-1 (22-25, 25-22, 25-23, 25-17) and Cuba topped Bulgaria 3-2 (23-25, 25-16, 23-25, 27-25, 15-13).

On Thursday, China and Iran will play at 16:30 local time (14:30 GMT) and Cuba and Poland will face off at 20:00 (18:00 GMT).

Slovenia also start well at home

Hosting one of this week’s pools in the country’s capital Ljubljana, Slovenia also met their fans for the first time on Wednesday and they had somewhat of a smoother ride than the Polish, coming back from a first-set loss to beat Canada 3-1 (21-25, 25-21, 25-19, 25-21).

Taking the win and all three points was huge for the Slovenians, who went from 12^th to eighth in the standings and are now the first team outside the qualification zone for the Finals with five wins and 14 points. Canada are 14^th, with three wins and 11 points.

Opposite Tonček Štern was the big name in the Slovenian comeback, producing a match-high 21 points, with 19 kills and two aces. Outside hitters Rok Možič and Žiga Štern also had solid performances, delivering 13 and 12 points, respectively.

“It’s hard not to play well with the support we get here,” middle blocker and team captain Jan Kozamernik reacted. “The fans were by our side and we know that in front of them we can play amazing volleyball. This victory is the first step for us to qualify for the Finals, and we have to build on this and play even better in the next matches.”

On the Canadian side, outside hitter Brodie Hofer led all scorers with 11 points (eight kills, three blocks), one more than opposite Xander Ketrzynski, who registered ten kills.

Before the encounter between Slovenians and Canadians, Ukraine overcame the Netherlands 3-2 (25-21, 20-25, 20-25, 26-24, 15-13) and Italy topped Serbia 3-0 (25-15, 25-14, 25-16).

Volleyball Nations League 2025: full schedule and results

Thursday’s schedule in the Slovenian capital has a duel between Ukrainians and Italians at 16:30 local time (14:30 GMT) and a match reuniting Dutch and Slovenians four hours later.

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