Netherlands W vs Poland W

Trailing two sets to none, the Netherlands needed a response — and they delivered emphatically. Coach Alice Blom's team stormed through the third set, completely turning the tables on the Poles. Elles Dambrink, the 21-year-old opposite who has been a consistent force throughout the tournament, found her range, while middle blocker Britte Stuut and outside hitter Helena Kok chipped in with crucial points. The Dutch attacked with precision and purpose, racing to a 25-14 win that halved the deficit and injected life into their campaign.

"The beginning was really tough for us," Korneluk said after the match. "But in the end we won. We found our rhythm of play, but we have a lot to improve."

After the third-set setback, Poland regrouped in the fourth. Stysiak reasserted her dominance from the right side, and the Polish block — led by Korneluk and Martyna Czyrniańska — stiffened considerably. The set was a tightly contested affair, with both teams trading points deep into the frame. Ultimately, Poland's experience and nerve in the crucial moments proved the difference as they edged the fourth set 25-23 to seal the victory.

Magdalena Stysiak finished as the match's top scorer, underlining her status as one of the premier opposites in the competition. Middle blocker Agnieszka Korneluk was a force at the net, contributing both offensively and defensively throughout the contest.

For the Netherlands, Elles Dambrink led the scoring effort, while outside hitter Helena Kok provided solid support from the left pin. Despite the loss, the Dutch showed resilience in the third set that will give them confidence going forward in the tournament.

The win keeps Poland firmly in contention at the top of the VNL 2026 standings with a 6-1 record. The Netherlands, meanwhile, will look to bounce back as Week 2 continues in Bangkok. Both teams have crucial matches ahead as the race for the VNL Finals in Łódź heats up.