Slovenia opened the tournament with a 3:0 win against Spain, but then had two straight defeats to Russia and Bulgaria (both 0:3) to finish third in Group C and get Poland in the play-offs for the quarter-finals.

The Poles were a match for the underdog Slovenia in the first two sets, while the Slovenians shifted to a higher gear in the third set and dispatched the favoured hosts with ease. Slovenia will play Russia in the quarter-finals on Thursday.

Slovenia are defending the silver medal from the 2015 tournament in Italy and Bulgaria, which was one of the most surprising results in volleyball in recent history. Slovenia's previous best was a ninth place from 2011.