Tomasz Fornal breaks his silence on Russia’s possible return: “I’m just a player”

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Poland heads into the Volleyball Nations League Finals with growing confidence after an outstanding final week of the preliminary round.
Nikola Grbić’s team defeated Bulgaria, Brazil, France, and the United States in Chicago, securing a perfect record and confirming their place in the Finals.
The performances suggested that the reigning European champions are reaching their peak at exactly the right time. Speaking to Polish media after the tournament, outside hitter Tomasz Fornal admitted the team is beginning to look like the version everyone has been waiting for.

With a smile, he jokingly credited the improvement to the return of head coach Nikola Grbić: “The boss came back, and everything immediately looked different,” he laughed. “Chicago was great. There were a lot of fans, and we played really well. Considering the level of the opponents we faced, I think our performances were very good.”

However, the conversation soon shifted to one of volleyball’s most sensitive and controversial topics: the possible return of Russian national teams to international competition.

Ever since discussions about Russia’s reinstatement resurfaced, players across the volleyball world have repeatedly been asked for their opinions, including French Star Antoine Brizard.
And Fornal was no exception, but chose to answer with the calm and measured approach that has become one of his trademarks: “I’m just a player. I have no influence over the decisions made by the European or international federations. I try to stay away from politics. As for the issue of allowing them back into competition, I’d rather not comment further. There’s no point in dividing people. Everyone can decide for themselves whether it’s the right decision. If I’m asked to play against them, I’ll approach it like any other match and do everything I can to help my team win.”

His response avoids taking a direct political stance while making it clear that, as an athlete, his responsibility is ultimately to compete whenever governing bodies decide who is eligible to participate.
For now, his focus remains firmly on the court, where Poland has rediscovered the form that has made it one of the favorites heading into the Volleyball Nations League Finals. Whether or not Russia returns to international volleyball is a decision that lies with the sport’s governing authorities—not the players who will eventually have to face the consequences on the court.

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