Poland's Nikola Grbić sets Chicago VNL lineup for national team

Serbian coach Nikola Grbić, entering his fifth season as head of the Polish men’s volleyball team, outlined the roster for the upcoming Volleyball Nations League matches in Chicago. He confirmed that top scorers Aleksander Śliwka, Wilfredo León and Artur Szalpuk will travel, while middle‑blockers Jakub Kochanowski and Jan Firlej remain sidelined to recover from injuries.

Grbić highlighted Poland’s recent form, noting victories over Germany and Argentina and the team’s third‑place standing in the Nations League. The schedule in Chicago includes matches against Bulgaria (the tournament’s eighth‑place team), Brazil, France and the United States. He stressed the importance of these games for Olympic qualification and the FIVB ranking, urging the squad to focus on tactics rather than opponents.

The coach’s comments reflect his reputation for leading Poland to multiple medals at major events – Olympic silver, World Championship bronze, European gold and several VNL podium finishes – and emphasize his continued emphasis on discipline, teamwork and strategic preparation.