Poland volleyball sidelined by surgeries ahead of European Championship

Middle blocker Jakub Kochanowski announced on Instagram that he has undergone a minor knee operation and will miss the 2026 European Volleyball Championship. The surgery ends his participation with the Poland men’s national team for the season.

Outside hitter Martyna Łukasik also used Instagram to confirm a serious shoulder injury sustained during a VNL training camp. She will undergo surgery and will be unavailable for the women’s European Championship. Both players thanked fans for their support and expressed hopes of returning stronger.

Coach Stefano Lavarinie now faces the task of reshaping the Polish squads for the tournament, which will be held from 21 August to 6 September across Turkey, the Czech Republic, Sweden and Azerbaijan. The absences are described as a major blow to the teams’ core line‑ups.