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Mariusz Wlazły, a volleyball legend in Poland, was given a magnificent farewell in Gdańsk despite Trefl’s defeat to Projekt Warszawa. Wlazły played his last match at the Ergo Arena on Monday, April 24th.
After the match, the Trefl captain symbolically hung up his volleyball shoes, while fans, the mayor of Gdańsk, Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, Trefl, and PGE Skra Bełchatów officials thanked him for his contribution to the sport. Wlazły is regarded as the best volleyball player of the 21st century in Poland, having won five Polish Player of the Year awards and several medals, including the World Championships and Club World Championships.
The match against Projekt Warszawa, however, was overshadowed by Wlazły’s retirement. The Trefl players wore shirts with Wlazły’s image, and the team was led out onto the court by Wlazły’s 14-year-old son, Arkadiusz, who is also a Trefl player. In a dramatic entrance, Wlazły emerged from the smoke, accompanied by his son, and was greeted by a thunderous ovation from the crowd.
Wlazły played for most of his career in Skra Bełchatów, winning several medals and awards. He moved to Trefl Gdańsk for his final three seasons, where he continued to display his skills and dedication to the sport. Despite the loss, the night was dedicated to Wlazły, and the fans in the arena paid tribute to a great athlete and a role model for future volleyball players.
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