Men’s FIVB Volleyball World Ranking leader Poland (pictured in the main photo; credits: Kacper Kirklewski / Fundacja Wagnera / pzps.pl) won the 23rd edition of the prestigious Hubert Wagner Memorial tournament, which the country hosts annually. France and the United States completed the podium at Tauron Arena in Krakow. FIVB Volleyball Empowerment supported Slovenia also took part in the competition and finished in fourth place.
On the opening competition day of the Hubert Wagner Memorial, the home team, recent winners of the 2026 Volleyball Nations League, and VNL bronze medalists Slovenia engaged in a five-set battle, which the Poles won by 3-2 (26–24, 21–25, 25–19, 23–25, 15–11). In a remake of the VNL final, Poland put together a 3-1 (22–25, 25–15, 25–20, 25–22) comeback victory over USA. On Sunday’s last competition day, the tournament hosts followed up with another four-set turnaround – 3-1 (22–25, 25–17, 25–15, 25–20) – this time over reigning Olympic champions France. This way, Poland triumphed as undefeated tournament winners, collecting their 12th trophy in the history of the competition.
France brought home silver to match their best Hubert Wagner result from 2017. They hammered out a 3-0 (28-26, 25-21, 25-23) sweep of the tournament’s opening match against USA and backed that successful start up with a 3-1 (16-25, 25-21, 25-15, 25-21) victory over Slovenia.
The Americans decorated their Hubert Wagner debut with bronze after a five-set battle against Slovenia in the deciding duel for the third place, which they won by 3-2 (28-30, 28-26, 17-25, 25-19, 15-11).
Poland’s 31-year-old opposite Bartlomiej Boladz was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Best Opposite of the tournament. His teammate Jakub Majchrzak received the Best Middle Blocker award. France’s Antoine Brizard and Benjamin Diez picked up the Best Setter and the Best Libero nominations, respectively, while USA’s Cooper Robinson was honored as the Best Outside Hitter.
Najlepsi z najlepszych na #Wagner2026 🏆🫡 pic.twitter.com/GawO4b3x4j
— Memoriał H.J.Wagnera (@memorialwagnera) August 30, 2026
The four participating teams also used this strong tournament as part of their preparations for their upcoming continental championships, from which Poland, France and Slovenia could qualify for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games and the 2027 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Cup. As hosts, the Americans are already automatically qualified for both of these top-caliber events.
