Poland reached the finals of the 2015 World League but lost in the semi-finals to eventual champions France. In the bronze medal match they were swept by USA, meaning they finished fourth. The Europeans came close to the gold medal at the 2011 World Cup, but took silver after finishing three points behind Russia in the standings. That achievement matched their previous best result in their debut campaign in 1965 when they hosted the competition. In their three other appearances, they finished eighth in 1969 and were fourth in 1977 and in 1981.

They hosted and won the 2014 World Championship for the second time as passionate fans roared them to victory in a spectacular tournament that opened in front of a crowd of 61,500 in Warsaw and ended in a 3-1 triumph over Brazil. The team finished fifth at the London 2012 Olympic Games, but in 2013 they failed to qualify out of their first round pool at the World League and European Championship. Poland boasts a long and vibrant volleyball tradition, with the national team having played an important role in the sport's development since their appearance at the inaugural World Championship in 1949. The Poles dominated the international scene in the mid-1970s. More recently, they won the bronze medal in the 2011 World League.