“Volleyball Chose Me”: Semeniuk Leads “Warsaw” to the Champions League Final Four

In the decisive away match, Yurii Semeniuk became the MVP and one of the main heroes of the Warsaw team. The 31-year-old Ukrainian middle blocker has a unique story — he only started playing volleyball at age 21, but thanks to talent and tireless work, he rose to the highest level. Last year, during his team's debut in the Nations League, he became the tournament's best blocker. For every international match, he brings a special Ukrainian flag with him and dedicates his performances to his compatriots. Now his focus is on the Champions League quarterfinals, where “Projekt Warsaw” will face a fierce rival from the domestic championship — “Bogdanka LUK Lublin”

“Projekt Warsaw” reached the Champions League playoffs as the best third-placed team in the groups and then impressed fans with an incredible comeback, securing a spot in the quarterfinals. After a tie-break loss in the first match against “Trentino” in Warsaw, the team traveled to Trento and staged an impressive turnaround. Trailing 1–2 in sets, they managed to snatch a victory in the tie-break and then sealed their success in the “golden set.” Scoring 15 points, including five blocks, Yurii Semeniuk was named the most valuable player of the match.

“When “Trentino” went up 2–1, I think they already decided they had won the match. But in reality, that was exactly the moment they started losing it. They believed in victory too early, even though the match wasn't over yet. We, on the contrary, really wanted to win. We put in so much time, heart, health, emotions, and our whole lives to be on this court and fight in the Champions League. We gave absolutely everything and were able to win the fourth set, the fifth set and the “golden set”,” - says Semeniuk.

The next test on the road to Turin will be the confrontation with “Bogdanka LUK Lublin” — Champions League debutants. “Warsaw” lost both matches to them in the PlusLiga regular season, but the most important matches are still ahead — a ticket to the “Final Four” is at stake.

“Our matches against Lublin this season in the PlusLiga weren't bad. In the first game, we only had seven available players due to illnesses — two liberos, two setters, two outside hitters and me, without an opposite — so the “Magnificent Seven” had to play under those circumstances. In the home match, which we lost 3–1, both teams played well, but we made too many unforced errors and perhaps didn't show our maximum. Now the Champions League quarterfinal is a different story. Playing at home in front of a full arena will give different energy and emotions, as league and Champions League matches are completely different levels and stakes. In the Champions League, there is no room for error — one loss can be very costly. Against “Trentino” we lost the first match 3–2, although we had chances to win, and that made the situation difficult. But we showed character and turned the tide of the confrontation. Now everything starts over. If we want to achieve something — and we do — we must fight and defeat every opponent,” — added Semeniuk.

Last season, “Projekt Warsaw” stopped just one step away from the “Final Four”, losing the “golden set” to “Halkbank”, which makes them even more motivated this time to reach the Champions League top 4 for the first time in the club's history.

“I think every player steps onto the court with the goal of winning medals. When you work hard for years, sacrifice your health and give everything to volleyball, it's psychologically very difficult if it doesn't bring results at the end of the season. But that's sport, that's volleyball — a team game where you need to keep fighting. Last year we were just one step away from the “Final Four”, so this season it would be great to do it — and maybe go even further. We continue to move forward, and for me it doesn't matter if it's the Polish Championship, Champions League, Polish Cup or Nations League — I always want to win and finish the season with a medal as a reward for the work put in,” — said Semeniuk.

In 2024, “Projekt Warsaw” won the Challenge Cup, and Yurii Semeniuk played a key role in this, becoming the tournament's MVP. On the podium, he stood out by holding a Ukrainian flag — one that is special to him because it has the signatures of his national team teammates. He still takes this flag with him to matches.

“I still have this flag — it travels with me almost everywhere. I always take it to Champions League matches, put it in my suitcase or backpack and wait for the right moment when we win something important. In the league, I only take it to decisive games. For the last few years — both in the national team and here in Warsaw — it has always been with me. I had it in Trento too, but after such a long match, the MVP title and television interviews, there was no opportunity to get it out. But if we reach the “Final Four”, it will definitely be with me,” — he confessed.

After winning the 2024 European League, Ukraine made a brilliant debut in the Nations League, fighting for a spot in the finals until the last match and eventually finishing in 10th place. Despite this, Yurii Semeniuk topped the tournament's blockers ranking. This summer, Ukraine will again compete among the world's strongest teams and then focus on Euro 2026 — and for Semeniuk and his teammates, every match has even more meaning.

“I've been playing for the national team for 10 years, and since the start of the war, every match has become even more important — not only for us players but for everyone back home. For a while, every Ukrainian — whether civilian or military — can take their mind off the war by watching our games. It brings positive emotions and gives people something bright. When we step onto the court to fight and, hopefully, win at the international level, we give something to every person, every family, every soldier. These matches mean a lot to us. At the same time, it's not easy, because our thoughts are constantly with Ukraine and our loved ones. We play not only for ourselves but for our country,” — said Semeniuk.

In 2025, Yurii Semeniuk as captain led Ukraine to an impressive debut in the Nations League, becoming the tournament's best blocker.

His ambitions — like those of the entire team — remain high: “Last year we showed good volleyball and achieved decent results, but of course, it would have been even better to reach the VNL finals. We performed well in the first two weeks, but in the third, we fell a bit short. I hope this season we can fight for a spot in the final. I believe we are capable of this. Maybe we don't have the deepest roster, but we play with the players we have, we have a plan and clear goals.”

Semeniuk's story is a vivid example that every athlete can follow their own path. If most volleyball players start in childhood, he took up the sport only at age 21 — and still reached a world-class level. He was noticed by a coach while working in a shop and already studying to be a lawyer, after which he began his journey through perseverance and hard work.

“If you look at other players, many of them started at 10–12 years old and were already competing at the junior level by 15. That was not my path,” — he admitted.

“I would say that volleyball chose me. I started at 21, and it wasn't easy, but the coaches saw potential in me, so I worked extremely hard. I trained a lot — both in the gym and on the court — and learned from more experienced players. Every day I tried to be better than yesterday. I watched others, learned from them, and constantly progressed with every coach, every team and every season. Now, in my fourth year in Warsaw, alongside such players I continue to develop. Even after so many years, I want to become even better.”