National Men’s Volleyball Team set to face Poland in VNL second week clash
Turkey’s National Men’s Volleyball Team will step onto the court against hosts Poland in their second match of the second week of the 2026 FIVB Volleyball Nations League (VNL). The high-profile encounter will be played in the city of Gliwice, with first serve scheduled for 21:00 Türkiye time.
This duel carries extra weight for the Turkish side. Since the inception of the Volleyball Nations League in 2018, Poland has established itself as one of the dominant forces in the competition, lifting the trophy in both 2023 and 2025. Turkey, on the other hand, has yet to secure a victory over the European powerhouse in the VNL, having lost both of their previous meetings in the tournament. The national team will therefore be chasing a historic first win against Poland on this stage.
Heading into this game, both teams share an identical record in the current VNL campaign, with two wins and two losses each. This balance in the standings adds a competitive edge: the winner in Gliwice will not only gain a psychological advantage, but also take an important step toward securing a better position ahead of the final phase of the competition.
The Turkish roster for the second week, also being played in Gliwice, brings together a blend of experienced internationals and rising talents. The squad is as follows:
• Setters: Murat Yenipazar, Hilmi Şahin, Ömercan Burak Karahan
• Opposite hitters: Adis Lagumdzija, Berk Dilmenler, Kaan Gürbüz
• Outside hitters: Efe Bayram, Gökçen Yüksel, Cafer Kirkit, Mirza Lagumdzija
• Middle blockers: Ahmet Samet Baltacı, Ahmet Tümer, Bedirhan Bülbül, Marko Matic
• Liberos: Berkay Bayraktar, Beytullah Hatipoğlu
Among these names, opposite hitter Adis Lagumdzija stands out as one of the key offensive weapons. Known for his powerful serves and high-point scoring capability, he is expected to shoulder a major part of Turkey’s attacking responsibility against Poland’s tall and well-organized block. The contribution of outside hitters like Efe Bayram and Mirza Lagumdzija will also be crucial, especially in reception and transition offense.
At the net, the middle blocker line of Ahmet Samet Baltacı, Ahmet Tümer, Bedirhan Bülbül and Marko Matic will have to cope with Poland’s strong middle attack and quick combinations. Effective blocking and fast central attacks could help Turkey disrupt Poland’s rhythm and open up more opportunities on the wings.
The setting duo, led by the experienced Murat Yenipazar alongside Hilmi Şahin and Ömercan Burak Karahan, will play a decisive role in balancing the offense. Accurate distribution, quick decisions under pressure and variation in attack patterns will be required to unsettle Poland’s defensive structure, which is traditionally one of the most solid in international volleyball.
Defense and reception will be another key battleground. Liberos Berkay Bayraktar and Beytullah Hatipoğlu will anchor the backcourt, tasked with stabilizing the first touch against Poland’s aggressive serving line. Clean reception will give Turkey the chance to run its full offensive playbook, while strong floor defense can extend rallies and test the patience of the Polish attackers.
Facing the host nation also introduces the challenge of a partisan crowd. Poland is known worldwide for its passionate volleyball supporters, and the arena in Gliwice is expected to provide an intense atmosphere. For Turkey, maintaining composure, minimizing unforced errors and staying mentally resilient from the first point to the last will be just as important as tactical execution.
From a broader perspective, this match is more than just another fixture in the pool phase. For Turkey, competing consistently with top-tier volleyball nations like Poland is a vital step in its long-term development. A strong performance, and especially a first-ever VNL victory over Poland, would boost confidence, improve the team’s international standing and serve as a signal that Turkey is increasingly capable of challenging the sport’s traditional giants.
The encounter in Gliwice will also offer valuable lessons regardless of the result. Measuring up against a team that has twice been crowned VNL champion since 2018 allows the Turkish players and technical staff to identify areas for improvement – from serve pressure and block timing to transition speed and bench depth. Each set and each rally provides data and experience that can be used to refine strategies for the remainder of the tournament and future major competitions.
In the context of the 2026 VNL season, matches like this one can be pivotal. With both sides at two wins and two losses, the margins for error are slim. A single victory or defeat can significantly alter the trajectory toward the final rounds. For Turkey, seizing this opportunity against a high-caliber opponent on their home court could define the narrative of their entire campaign.
As the teams prepare to clash in Gliwice at 21:00 Türkiye time, the national side steps onto the court aware of the difficulty of the task, but also of the chance to write a new chapter in its volleyball history: turning previous losses into motivation and chasing that first, long-awaited VNL win over Poland.