*Poland - Vietnam: 8:30 p.m. today, 23/8, Hanoi time.

Poland is currently ranked 3rd, 19 places higher than Vietnam. In the last three seasons of the FIVB Nations League (2023, 2024, and 2025), the European team won bronze medals. They possess many tall players, with an average height of 1.86 m. Most notable among them are hitters like Magdalena Stysiak (2.03 m tall), Agnieszka Korneluk (2 m), Weronika Centka-Tietianiec and Martyna Czyrnianska (both 1.93 m).

In contrast, Vietnam is a newcomer. The team finished 4th in the 2023 Asian Championship and was promoted to participate because Thailand is hosting this year's World Championship.

Nguyen Thi Uyen (middle) celebrates after scoring for Vietnam in a 4-0 friendly win against Kenya at Dong Anh Gymnasium, Hanoi on 19/8/2025, ahead of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship. Photo: Hieu Luong

Nguyen Thi Uyen (middle) celebrates after scoring for Vietnam in a 4-0 friendly win against Kenya at Dong Anh Gymnasium, Hanoi on 19/8/2025, ahead of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship. Photo: Hieu Luong

In recent years, coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet's team has made remarkable progress, including winning two consecutive AVC Challenge Cup titles (2023 and 2024), a historic 3-1 victory over Belgium (ranked 21 places higher), a bronze medal at the 2024 FIVB Challenger Cup, and a comeback win against Thailand in the final of the second leg of the 2025 SEA V-League.

However, Kiet acknowledges that Vietnam - with an average height of 1.77 m - is the clear underdog against Poland. "We have studied Poland through videos. They are on a different level, far superior. We know this will be a very difficult match," he said before the game. "The most challenging aspect is their diverse serving style. We need to minimize errors in our first step. If we receive the serve well, we will have opportunities to organize attacks and score points."

Right before the tournament, Vietnam suffered a significant loss when opposite hitter Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen unexpectedly withdrew. She has been a key player for the team in recent years, with her latest contribution being the championship in the second leg of the SEA V-League on 10/8. In that match, Bich Tuyen broke her personal record by scoring 45 points, helping Vietnam defeat Thailand for the first time after 40 consecutive losses across all competitions.

Despite this setback, Kiet affirmed that he will not change the team's playing style but will make appropriate tactical adjustments. In the friendly match against Kenya, Vietnam experimented with outside hitter Vi Thi Nhu Quynh in the opposite hitter position and received positive feedback.

"Without Bich Tuyen, we have to change our main attacker," Kiet analyzed. "Kieu Trinh has played the opposite hitter position for many years. Tran Thi Thanh Thuy is also an option, having played this position before. Therefore, depending on the situation on the court, I will make suitable changes."

Facing Poland's tall blockers, Kiet predicts that Vietnam's hitters will encounter difficulties. However, he also emphasized that the players are in good spirits and relaxed because they are not under too much competitive pressure. He hopes the players will be in their best physical condition to perform their best.

The Vietnam women's volleyball team lost 0-4 to Spain in a friendly match at Dong Anh Gymnasium, Hanoi, on 17/8/2025. Photo: Hieu Luong

The Vietnam women's volleyball team lost 0-4 to Spain in a friendly match at Dong Anh Gymnasium, Hanoi, on 17/8/2025. Photo: Hieu Luong

The 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship takes place from 22/8 to 7/9 in Thailand. It features 32 of the strongest teams from five continents, divided into eight pools. The teams will compete in a round-robin format to determine the top two teams from each pool that will advance to the round of 16.

Vietnam is in Pool G, playing in Phuket, and will face Poland (23/8), Germany (25/8, ranked 11th), and Kenya (27/8, ranked 22nd).

Besides the aforementioned teams, the tournament also includes defending champion Serbia, host Thailand, Egypt, Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Belgium, Canada, Cameroon, Colombia, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Netherlands, Greece, Italy, USA, Mexico, Japan, Ukraine, Puerto Rico, France, Slovenia, Slovakia, Turkey, China, Sweden, and Spain.

Vietnam team roster:

Outside hitters: Tran Thi Thanh Thuy (C), Vi Thi Nhu Quynh, Nguyen Thi Uyen, Nguyen Thi Phuong

Middle blockers: Nguyen Thi Trinh, Tran Thi Bich Thuy, Le Thanh Thuy, Pham Thi Hien

Opposite hitter: Hoang Thi Kieu Trinh

Setters: Doan Thi Lam Oanh, Vo Thi Kim Thoa

Liberos: Nguyen Khanh Dang, Nguyen Thi Ninh Anh

Duc Dong