Ukraine seal historic Golden Nations League triumph with fifth straight win

Even though the match was probably more closely contested than many would have expected, on Sunday morning Ukraine beat hosts Poland 3-0 (25-23, 25-19, 25-22) to secure their fifth victory in as many fixtures and the women’s Golden Nations League crown for 2025. Their team captain, Oleksandra Lykhodid received the award for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the competition. Ukraine had previously won Golden Nations League silver medals in 2021 and 2023, when they had finished runners-up to Russia and Italy, respectively.

Early on Sunday morning, Poland probably played their best match of the weekend as free from any real pressure, they faced a Ukrainian side that had impressed with a perfect run of four straight wins in the competition. Playing under the eyes of the President of the Polish Paralympic Committee, Mr Lukasz Szeliga, the home side displayed a valiant effort and did even lead by as many as six points at some stage, but Ukraine did always regroup when they were with their back against the wall and closed the key rallies in their favour to celebrate a 3-0 victory and their historic Golden Nations League triumph.

“I am obviously overjoyed and over the moon,” captain and MVP Lykhodid said. “This success may come as a surprise to others, but certainly it does not surprise us. We have been working extremely hard as a group and we are now reaping the fruits of our efforts. This is the result of a collective effort. Yesterday’s victory over Italy was very important since we had lost to them in the semis of the last European Championship in 2023. I do not remember when did Ukraine win a gold medal in such a competition and under the current circumstances back home, I think this triumph is even more meaningful and special. It is also an extra boost of energy as we continue our preparations for the European Championship scheduled for late July in Hungary, where we hope to display the same quality and achieve the same result.”

Team Ukraine had to leave Wisla shortly after completion of their matchup with Poland due to the logistical challenges that any journey back to their hometowns impose. However, they will do so knowing that they are making their countrypeople proud and paying back the Ukrainian Paralympic Committee for the invaluable support provided in the past months and weeks.

After the matchup between Ukraine and Poland, the competition in Wisla continued with another two fixtures to determine the final standing. Germany beat the Netherlands 3-1 (25-14, 19-25, 25-18, 25-16) to claim third place – their third podium finish in the competition after bronze in 2022 and silver last year in Šempeter, Slovenia.

Defending champions Italy finished the event on a high note, courtesy of their 3-1 victory (25-17, 25-27, 25-21, 25-21) over Slovenia. Still feeling some disappointment for their loss to Ukraine on Saturday morning, the Italians had to cope with their fair share of ups and downs but regrouped after losing the second set to complete their campaign in Wisla on a 4-1 win-loss record, thereby sealing second place in the final standing and travelling home with the silver medals. Francesca Bosio, Sara Cirelli & Co. will take some valuable lessons from this experience as they prepare to defend their European title later this summer in Győr, Hungary.

Final standing 

1.   Ukraine 

2.   Italy 

3.   Germany 

4.   Slovenia 

5.   Netherlands 

6.   Poland 

https://tournaments.paravolley.eu/gnl25-w/news/129