Former Ukraine national team captain Oleh Plotnytskyi gave a very emotional reaction to the heavy defeat against Belgium in the opening match of the 2025 Volleyball World Championship.
Reminder: Raúl Lozano’s team lost 0:3 to Belgium – a match that could have been decisive in the battle for the play-offs.
Plotnytskyi criticized above all the toxic negativity and lack of fan culture in Ukraine:
“As soon as we lose, the best players suddenly turn into ‘spineless losers’ in the eyes of many. Instead of support, there are insults. It was like this with Uģis (Krastiņš),and it’s the same now with Lozano. We almost wait for the chance to throw 💩 at each other. But whether you insulted the team yesterday or supported them wholeheartedly – it wouldn’t have changed the outcome.”
He stressed that blaming the coach was pointless:
“Lozano tried, rotated, gave instructions – but it didn’t work. That doesn’t mean it was just ‘not our day.’ We want to qualify for the Olympics, and for that, everyone – from A to Z – must work hard.”
The ex-captain also questioned the preparation and leadership goals:
“Before the Nations League we sparred against Poland, Bulgaria, Germany – but before the most important tournament of the season, only against Qatar. With respect to them, but it’s not the level we needed. And then the federation president says: our goal is just to get out of the group, and if not, it’s no tragedy. From 9th in the Nations League and 7th at the 2022 World Championship, we set only the minimum goal – yet we talk about the Olympics?”
What shocked him most were the captain’s words about a long-standing bad atmosphere within the team:
“Why is that, before the most important competition of the season? Conditions are better, the troublemakers are gone. Atmosphere is a key factor in long tournaments – and we keep stepping on the same rake again and again.”
In the end, Plotnytskyi showed optimism:
“The World Championship is not lost yet. Two games remain, and everything is still in our hands. Fans should support more and criticize less. I believe we can reach the play-offs.”
Ukraine will play their next group-stage match against Algeria on Tuesday, September 16, at 09:00 Kyiv time.
