Poland claimed its first bronze medal in the history of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship after beating Czechia, 25-18, 23-25, 25-22, 25-21, in the battle for third place on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Wilfredo Leon powered the world no. 1 squad with 26 points on 23 kills and three blocks at a 64 percent success rate. Kewin Sasak added 11 points, including three service aces, while Szymon Jakubiszak delivered key plays late in the third set to put Poland back in control.
Lukas Vasina paced Czechia with 19 points, while Patrik Indra contributed 11. The Czechs managed to equalize in the second set and kept the pressure in the third before Poland pulled away in the closing stretch.
Poland finished with small margins in all scoring departments—49-48 in kills, 9-7 in blocks, and 5-3 in aces—while also benefiting from Czechia’s 35 unforced errors against their 28. The match ended on a Czech attacking mistake that sealed Poland’s victory.
Poland, three-time world champion and two-time silver medalist, reached the podium again with its first bronze finish.
The gold medal match between defending champion Italy and Bulgaria was scheduled later Sunday, 6:30 pm, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
