Koszalin President’s Cup 2025: Poland Wins Ahead of VNL and Golden League

The Koszalin President’s Cup concluded with Poland triumphing as the tournament’s champions, providing a strong start to their preparations for the 2025 Volleyball Nations League (VNL). This friendly competition, featuring Poland, France, Sweden, and Bulgaria, offered teams an opportunity to fine-tune their strategies for the upcoming international volleyball season.

Poland’s Road to Victory

Poland opened their campaign with a solid 3-1 victory over Bulgaria, shaking off a sluggish first set to dominate the remainder of the match (18-25, 25-13, 25-18, 25-18). They faced a tougher challenge in their second match against Sweden, where they had to fight back from a two-set deficit to secure a thrilling five-set win (18-25, 23-25, 25-16, 25-9, 15-6). In their final match, Poland showcased their growing confidence and consistency, defeating France 3-1 (25-20, 21-25, 25-19, 25-13) to claim the top spot in the tournament standings.

France Showcases Potential

France began the tournament in commanding fashion, sweeping Sweden in straight sets (25-17, 25-20, 27-25). Their second match against Bulgaria proved to be a dramatic five-setter, with France staging a comeback to win 3-2 (25-27, 22-25, 25-15, 26-24, 15-9). However, their momentum faltered in the final match against Poland, where they struggled to maintain consistency and fell in four sets.

Sweden’s Resilience on Display

Sweden’s campaign was marked by resilience despite their third-place finish. After losing to France in their opening match, Sweden gave a strong performance against Poland, taking the first two sets before eventually losing in five. They ended their tournament on a high note, defeating Bulgaria 3-2 (23-25, 28-26, 25-20, 20-25, 15-11) in a match that showcased their determination and adaptability under new head coach Lorenzo Micelli.

Bulgaria Gains Valuable Experience

Bulgaria faced a tough tournament, finishing in fourth place after three consecutive losses. Despite their struggles, they pushed both France and Sweden to five sets, demonstrating flashes of promise. With new head coach Antonina Zetova at the helm, Bulgaria used the Koszalin President’s Cup to lay the groundwork for their upcoming VNL campaign.

Looking Ahead to VNL and Golden League

The Koszalin President’s Cup served as a crucial warm-up for the participating teams as they prepare for the challenges of the 2025 international volleyball season.

Poland will start their VNL campaign in Beijing, China, on June 4, alongside Türkiye. As the bronze medalists of the last two editions, Poland will aim to improve their standing when they host the VNL Finals in Łódź later this summer.

Bulgaria will begin their VNL journey in Ottawa, Canada, also on June 4. Under new leadership, the team is looking to rebuild and gain momentum during the tournament.

Meanwhile, Sweden, the reigning champions of the 2024 Women’s European Golden League, will compete in the 2025 edition of the tournament. With hopes of defending their title, Sweden also aims to gather valuable world ranking points in their quest to qualify for the 2026 VNL.

(Featured image source: Polish Volleyball Federation)

(Written by Boris CHUNG Bok Man)