Polish women's volleyball players declined national team call-ups; coach Stefano Lavarini responds bluntly

In brief

• Head coach Stefano Lavarini has criticised the way the national team is run after several Polish players refused call-ups.
• He said the situation is unacceptable as it stands and called for a different way of working between the federation and players.
• Malwina Smarzek was absent from the squad, and Lavarini said he respected her decision citing personal matters.

Coach criticises the approach to the national team

Head coach Stefano Lavarini has said that the approach to the national team should be different, speaking to TVP Sport after reports that some players had refused to play for Poland. (Stefano Lavarini szczerze o kulisach sezonu reprezentacji Polski siatkarek. Padły wymowne słowa o nieobecnościach – sport.tvp.pl) (Siatkarki odmówiły Lavariniemu. Nie certolił się. "Tak nie może być" – Sport.pl) (Odmówiły gry w reprezentacji Polski. Stefano Lavarini dosadnie reaguje – Przegląd Sportowy)

Smarzek's absence

Malwina Smarzek, who had received a call-up from Lavarini, did not appear in the Polish squad this year. The coach said he had been informed that she was dealing with personal and private matters, and that he had respected her decision not to play. (Stefano Lavarini o braku Malwiny Smarzek w kadrze. Już tego nie ukrywa – przegladsportowy.onet.pl)

Wider reaction

The coach's comments drew wide attention in Polish sports media, with the refusals becoming a public debate about commitment to the national team. Lavarini did not announce any sanctions in the reports. The dispute remains centred on how the squad will be built for future competitions.