Poland delivered a commanding straight-set victory over Brazil, winning 3-0 (25-22, 28-26, 25-19) in Week 3 of the men's Volleyball Nations League 2026 at Pool 8 in Chicago. The win mathematically secured Poland's qualification for the VNL Finals in Ningbo, scheduled for late July and early August.
Head coach Nikola Grbić's side dictated the match from the service line, never giving Brazil enough room to build a sustained run. Tomasz Fornal and Kamil Semeniuk led the scoring with 13 points each, with Fornal delivering 4 crucial aces throughout the match.
The first set was the most competitive, with Brazil starting strong to lead 17-14, capitalising on Ricardo Lucarelli's fine form. Poland responded with character through Semeniuk's back-court attacks and Fornal's serves, turning the score around to close 25-22.
In the second set, Poland started better (3-0, 7-3) with a solid block orchestrated by Bartłomiej Lemański. Brazil fought point for point, saving a set ball and levelling at 26-26 before an impressive defensive play by Bartłomiej Bołądź — finished with a winning attack by Semeniuk — decided the set 28-26.
The third set was one-sided: Poland dominated from start to finish, with Fornal opening with two consecutive aces (3-1). Brazil struggled visibly, committing numerous unforced errors. The final point came from Szymon Jakubiszak, who threaded the ball between the net and the falling Brazilian block.
With this victory — their eighth in ten matches — Poland strengthen their position at the top of the VNL standings. Brazil, on the other hand, slip out of the Final Eight zone and face a complicated path toward qualification. Poland now emerge as a serious title contender for the final tournament in Ningbo.
Sources
- https://api1.pzps.pl/pl/aktualnosci/4333/vnl-chicago-2026-brazylia---polska-03
- https://www.polsatsport.pl/wiadomosc/2026-07-17/polska-brazylia-wynik-meczu-siatkarzy-kto-wygral-liga-narodow-2026/
