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Poles learn volleyball fate after world championships group draw

Photo: Mateusz Slodkowski/Getty Images
Photo: Mateusz Slodkowski/Getty Images
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Poland’s male volleyball team have been drawn to face the Netherlands, Qatar and Romania in next year’s volleyball world championships in the Philippines.

Held for the first time in Southeast Asia, the competition has been expanded to feature 32 teams and will begin next September.

The new format will see 32 teams compete in eight groups of four, with the top two in each advancing to the knockout stage.

While the white-and-reds are expected to ease past Qatar and Romania, a sterner test awaits from the Dutch; even so, anything less than top spot would be considered a disappointment.

Considered one of the giants of the sport, Poland will enter the championships seeking to clinch their third title in four attempts. Winning the top prize in 2014 and 2018, Poland finished runners-up in 2022 after losing 3-1 to Italy.

The defending champions are set to face Ukraine, Belgium and Algeria in the group stages, while Olympic gold medalists France – who beat Poland in the 2024 final – will meet Argentina, Finland and South Korea.
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