Team captain Bartosz Kurek confidently shouldered the expectations that come with being the favorites as World No.1 Poland opened their 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship campaign with a commanding win over No.21 Romania on Saturday night.
As the reigning Volleyball Nations League champions and top-ranked team globally, Poland entered the tournament with the weight of expectation squarely on their shoulders.
“Being the favorites is a huge compliment. It’s a privilege to play under this kind of spotlight,” said Kurek, who contributed 13 points in the victory.
But Kurek framed that pressure as an honor, a challenge they embrace in their quest for a fourth World Championship.
The veteran opposite spiker expressed confidence in his squad’s ability to rise to the occasion and carry the mantle of the world’s top team.
(C) Volleyball World
“It’s too early to talk about medals. Our priority is the group stage—every match matters for both seeding and confidence. But this is a solid start.
“It’s not easy, but I trust myself and my teammates. If anyone can handle this pressure, it’s us,” Kurek said, as Poland seeks redemption after losing to Italy in the gold medal match of the last championship.
The opening set was a tense affair, stretching to 34-32, but Poland quickly found its rhythm in the following frames, eventually cruising to a dominant finish over Romania to secure their first Pool B victory at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“The first set was definitely tough, but once we settled, we played at our usual level and controlled the match. Romania gave a good fight — they’ll be a strong opponent for anyone,” Kurek noted.
He acknowledged that nerves played a role in the early stages but praised his team for regrouping and asserting dominance in the remaining sets.
“Starting a major tournament brings jitters, even for a team with our experience. You just have to calm down and focus on your game, like in practice. That’s exactly what we did,” he explained.
#WATCH: Bartosz Kurek says it’s high praise and a privilege for Poland to be considered one of the title favorites in #MWCH2025 🏐🇵🇱
📹 @ernesttuazon /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/ilRjcmU0Dm
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) September 13, 2025
