25 Jul 2025

Kebab-fuelled Poland wrap up emotional men’s volleyball gold

BERLIN – Poland defeated Brazil 3-0 (25-15, 25-18, 25- 20) to convincingly win the men’s volleyball gold medal at the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games at Max-Schmeling-Halle on Thursday evening.

The result means Poland returned to the top of the podium in men’s volleyball for the first time since the 1991 Summer Universiade in Sheffield, their victory easing the pain of consecutive defeats to Italy in the two most recent FISU Games gold medal matches, in Chengdu two years ago and Naples 2019.

/ 1

Open gallery

“I don’t remember that I won something in the world (at international level),” Poland captain Michal Gierzot, 23, told the FISU Games News Service (FGNS). “Playing in the national team, it’s my first (gold) medal and I think it deserves a special place.

“It’s a great honour. It’s a great pleasure to be part of this team and it’s a pleasure to win because sometimes you are playing good volleyball, but you are not reaching the final steps.”

Gierzot was in the team that lost the Chengdu final 3-0 and he told his teammates he did not want to go through that experience again.

His words may have helped inspire them, but a kebab lunch shared by the Poland team near the venue on Wednesday also played a role.

“This kebab is so good,” Gierzot said. “We just wanted to eat really good food.”

When asked if it might have been the secret to winning gold, Gierzot didn’t rule it out.

“Maybe, maybe,” Gierzot said. “But I think the most important thing was that we played our volleyball.”

‘Crazy and good’

Middle blocker Daniel Popiela was ecstatic with the near-flawless Poland performance.

“It was my dream,” Popiela told FGNS. “It was the perfect feeling. I don’t have any words to say, but I’m happy because it’s something beautiful.

“It was a pleasure to play with these guys because they are crazy. And they are very, very good volleyball players. Crazy and good.”

Having realised one dream, Popiela has already started dreaming of another, playing at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

“We’ll see what will be in the next season because it’s the most important (for national team selection),” the 24-year-old said. “I know the guys from the first representation of Poland (national team) also watch us and they write to us ‘good job guys’.

“And we know the Poland head coach is also watching the Games. They know us and maybe (they will select us).”

GRATEFUL AND PROUD

Brazil found small comfort in equalling their previous best FISU Games result, having eliminated defending champions Italy in a thrilling five-set semi-final on Tuesday.

“I am a little bit sad about the defeat but we made a good tournament and have to be grateful for our result here,” Guilherme Sabino Alexandre (BRA) told FGNS.

“To be battling for a world title is something very important for us and I am happy to be here.”

Italy clinched the bronze medal by beating Japan 3-1 (34-32, 25-19, 23-25, 25-16) after a marathon first set.

“We came into this tournament with the desire and determination to win it all,” 23-year-old outside hitter Francesco Sani (ITA) told FGNS. ”We wanted to make it to the final and compete for the gold medal.”

“Unfortunately, that didn’t happen, but I’m super proud of the group for coming back from the semi-final loss and playing a great bronze medal match against a really strong Japan team.”

The men's volleyball final brought the curtain down on the Berlin-based sports of the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 World University Games, but tickets are still available for many medal events in the Rhine-Ruhr region on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Click here for details.

FGNS pl/pg/mb