VolleyBar50# : Friday July 24, 2026

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We wrap up the week with the 50th episode of VolleyBar, bringing you another packed roundup of the latest volleyball news from around the world!
As always, we’re taking our weekend break—but as always, we’ll be back on Monday at 8:00 PM (CET) with more daily volleyball updates.

After French National Team setter Antoine Brizard, also Tomasz Fornal breaks his silence on Russia’s possible return.

PlusLiga officially changes its name!
Poland’s top volleyball league has officially entered a new era. Following a new title sponsorship agreement, TAURON has become the Title Sponsor of the Polish Volleyball League. As a result, the competition will now be known as TAURON Liga, with the naming rights confirmed through at least the end of the 2029/30 season.

Meanwhile, ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle completed their roster for the 2026–27 season with promising middle blocker Aleksander Maciejewski.
The 19-year-old developed through the MOS Wola Warszawa youth system before spending last season with Astra Nowa Sól. The upcoming campaign will mark his debut in Poland’s top division and represents a major step forward in his career.
Maciejewski completes ZAKSA’s middle blocker unit, joining Szymon Jakubiszak, Marcin Kania, and Fabian Plak.

“I’m very happy to be joining ZAKSA,” he said in club’s official statement.
“When the opportunity came, I didn’t hesitate. Playing in the top league and competing against the best has always been my goal. Another huge factor was the chance to work with Andrea Giani, a coach with incredible experience. I want to learn as much as possible from him and from my more experienced teammates, keep improving every day, and help the team whenever I’m given the opportunity.”

And no changes to Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie’s coaching staff!
Polish powerhouse have confirmed that the entire coaching staff responsible for leading the club to its historic Polish Championship will remain in place for the new season.

“We see no reason to make changes when everything is working so well,” club president Kryspin Baran said. “That philosophy was also reflected in our decision to extend Michał Winiarski’s contract until 2030 during the 2024–25 season.”

The club will therefore continue with the same group of eight staff members that guided the team to its first-ever Polish league title.

Former Japan international Shunichiro Sato is facing a possible one-year prison sentence after prosecutors in Tokyo formally requested the penalty in his cannabis possession case.
Always about Japan, but with a different news, Canadian national team middle blocker Fynnian McCarthy has officially signed with reigning SV.League champions Osaka Bluteon for the 2026/27 season.

Vietnam is through to the semifinals of the 6th SEA V Cup Leg 2 after sweeping Myanmar in straight sets to secure their place in the final four: 25:19, 25:23, 25:22. They will now face the top seed from Pool A, Indonesia, for a chance to advance to the championship match.
Indonesia finished on top of Pool A after defeating Alas Pilipinas in four sets: 25:18, 25:17, 23:25, 25:19.
With the victory, Indonesia secures the No. 1 seed and advances to the semifinals, where they will face Vietnam for a place in the championship match.
Meanwhile, Alas Pilipinas will take on Myanmar in the 5th Place Match.

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