The strongest opponent of Vietnam women's volleyball at the World Championship

On August 23, the Vietnam women's volleyball team will play their first match at the 2025 World Championship against Poland, the third-ranked team globally.

On August 23, the Vietnam women's volleyball team will make their debut at the 2025 Women's Volleyball World Championship, competing against Poland – the world’s third-ranked team and a top contender for the title. This represents both a tough challenge and a historic opportunity for Vietnam’s women’s volleyball on their first appearance at the sport’s biggest stage.

Poland currently maintains consistent performance with three consecutive third-place finishes in the FIVB Nations League (2023, 2024, 2025). They stand out due to their squad’s average height of 1.86m, significantly taller than Vietnam’s 1.77m.

Key attackers like Magdalena Stysiak (2.03m), Agnieszka Korneluk (2m), Weronika Centka-Tietianiec, and Martyna Czyrnianska (both 1.93m) form a powerful offensive line capable of breaking through any defense. Clearly, limiting Poland’s attacking efficiency will be an extremely difficult task for the Vietnamese players.

Coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet frankly acknowledges the significant gap in skill levels but still places trust in his players’ fighting spirit. He hopes the team can defend persistently, maximize counterattack opportunities, and leverage the role of outside hitters to create surprises. Setters Lam Oanh and Kim Thoa will be crucial links, as the precision of their initial passes will determine the effectiveness of attacks against the opponent’s tall blockers.

Competing against Poland is a special experience for Tran Thi Thanh Thuy and her teammates. With their first-ever participation in the World Championship, the Vietnamese players have the chance to gain experience, accumulate knowledge, and demonstrate a never-give-up attitude. Although the result may favor Poland, playing bravely and showing progress will help Vietnam establish a new position on the global volleyball map.

Historically, Poland was the runner-up at the 1952 World Championship, placed third twice in 1956 and 1962, and most recently ranked 7th in 2022. With stable performance over the past three seasons, they are eager to win the World Championship title for the first time. However, Poland’s path won’t be easy, as their group also includes Germany and especially Italy – the Olympic champions of Paris 2024 and back-to-back winners of the VNL 2024 and 2025.

For Vietnam, the main goal remains to show a resilient fighting spirit, learn from top opponents, and deliver memorable performances for their fans. The match against Poland will be the starting point and the biggest test for Coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet’s team to prove they deserve their historic spot in the 2025 World Championship.