Poland boasts a strong volleyball tradition and the country's national team have been among the sport's elite since their appearance at the very first FIVB World Championship in 1949. The fourth place result from that tournament was repeated in France (1956) and again in Brazil (1960). But the best results were yet to come. In the mid-1970s, the Polish squad claimed the absolute top position and dominated international volleyball for several years. Poland triumphed at the World Championship in 1974 and won gold two years later at the Montreal Olympics. As one of the world's strongest and most innovative sides, Poland have gone from strength to strength in recent years. Despite a change of coach – Daniel Castellani replacing Raul Lozano – big things are expected from Poland again this year. The core group of players, which is based on the successful lineup from the 1997 FIVB World Junior Championship, includes a number of prominent names who helped take the side to a respectable 10th in last year’s FIVB World League and 13th at the 2010 World Championship.

Poland will have a fresh start in this year’s tournament as Andrea Anastasi takes charge in his first international competition with the side. Anastasi played 141 matches for Italy, picking up World Championship and World League titles in 1990 before beginning his coaching career in 1994. He coached Italy from 1999-2002, winning the 1999 World League and finishing fifth at the 2002 Men’s World Championship. Four years later, he became the coach of Spain, leading them to the 2007 European title. However, later that year he was called back to coach the Italian team once more before replacing Daniel Castellani as coach of Poland in February 2011.