The Polish volleyball team has learned their schedule for the group stage of the Olympic Games in Paris. Fans might be surprised by the planned start time of the highly anticipated match between Poland and Brazil.
During the finals of the Volleyball Nations League in Łódź, the groups for the Olympic tournament in Paris were drawn. In the initial phase of the Olympics, the Polish team will face Egypt, the world champions Italy, and Brazil.
Surprise Before the Match Against Brazil
Even before the draw, we knew it would be tough. Brazil, not Japan; Italy, not Slovenia or the USA. But it doesn’t matter; everyone is strong and plays volleyball well,” said coach Nikola Grbić after the draw, trying to reassure fans.
The coach of the Polish team found positives in this group draw. Grbić highlighted that this might allow the Polish team to face a theoretically easier opponent in the quarterfinals and be better prepared for the knockout stage.
On Tuesday, the Poles learned the exact schedule of their matches at the Olympics. The surprising element is the timing of the match against Brazil. The Poles and the Canarinhos are set to play on July 31st at 9 AM. Polish fans usually encounter such early start times when their team plays in Asia. European tournaments are typically scheduled at more fan-friendly times for the Old Continent, but this is not a given at the Olympics. Both teams will have an early wake-up call as they need time to prepare and reach the venue.
Schedule of Polish Volleyball Team’s Matches at the Olympics
- July 27: Poland vs. Egypt at 5:00 PM
- July 31: Poland vs. Brazil at 9:00 AM
- August 3: Poland vs. Italy at 5:00 PM