Poland women's volleyball miss VNL finals after loss to Japan

Poland's women's national volleyball team competed in the 2026 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) intercontinental round in Osaka. After taking a 2‑0 lead against Japan, they fell 2‑3 (25‑20, 25‑14, 19‑25, 21‑25, 13‑15), finishing the tournament in ninth place and failing to qualify for the final round. The team recorded only one victory, a 3‑2 win over the United States, while losses to Turkey, Brazil and Japan sealed their fate.

Outside scorer Magda Stysiak contributed 155 points, ranking her 12th overall among attackers, yet Poland was excluded from the quarter‑finals as host China took the spot. Coach Stefano Lavarinio acknowledged the disappointment, saying the squad gave a solid effort but missed its goal. Commentator Krzysztof Sędzicki called the defeat “the biggest ailment of our roster.”