Volleyball: Poland lose to Serbia in European Championship bronze-medal match

Poland's women's volleyball team finished fourth at the European Championship after losing 3-1 to Serbia in the bronze-medal match in Istanbul on Sunday.

Poland's Katarzyna Wenerska in action during the bronze-medal match against Serbia in Istanbul on Sunday.

Photo: REUTERS/Kemal Aslan

Captain Magdalena Stysiak, who top-scored for Poland with 28 points, said the team still had work to do to close the gap on the world's best sides.

After losing the opening two sets, Poland came close to forcing a decider, but Serbia proved the stronger team.

She described the defeat as "a big lesson" and said it was "a good sign for the future."

Stysiak added that reaching the semi-finals was an achievement, with Poland making the last four for the first time in seven years.

Reprezentacja Polski czwartą drużyną Europy ❗️
Dziękujemy dziewczyny za każdy mecz, wygraną piłkę i walkę na boisku! 🇵🇱

Polska-Serbia 1️⃣:3️⃣ (21-25; 19-25; 25-15; 18-25)

📷Yasar Yilmaz
#mistrzostwaeuropy #reprezentacjapolski #polskasiatkówka #EuroVolleyW #teampoland… pic.twitter.com/xWGPuUlYPp

— POLSKA SIATKÓWKA (@PolskaSiatkowka) September 6, 2026

Libero Justyna Łysiak, who stepped in after Aleksandra Szczygłowska was ruled out by injury early in the tournament, said Poland had struggled to deal with Serbia's counter-attacks and long rallies in the opening two sets.

Hosts Türkiye retained their European title with a 3-2 win over Italy in Sunday's final in Istanbul.

(ał)

Source: PAP