Poland
In their long and illustrious history, the double Olympic bronze medallists Poland (1964 and 1968) scooped bronze medals of the European Championship five times – in 1949, 1955, 1958, and 1971 - and more recently during the championship of 2009, organised in Poland. In the ‘50s and ‘60s bronze mixed with silver, as Poland became Europe’s vice-champions in 1950, 1951, 1963 and 1967. Then finally came the golden era: in 2003 and two years later in 2005 Poland women’s national team earned the highest European title.
Malwina Smarzek-Godek“In the European Championship we will take on the role of hosts, so the pressure will be bigger than usual. A lot depends on how we deal with that. I always try to use it as additional motivation. With each season, we keep playing better so the fans are right to expect more of us – there is nothing strange about it. In the end that is what it is all about – us getting better, the expectations growing higher and us living up to them season by season.”
Opposite for Poland
The biggest achievement in recent years was the silver medal from the European Games in Baku 2015. However, the new generation of players, led by coach Jacek Nawrocki, have been making steady progress and proved that youth can challenge experience inside the Volleyball court, defeating top-class opposition and climbing ranks in the elite FIVB Volleyball Nations League. They will play EuroVolley 2019 at home in Lodz where, exactly 10 years ago, they earned their last, bronze medal of the competition.
