Five editions. Three semifinals. Three fourth-place finishes — and still chasing a first medal.
Slovenia in the VNL — Three Semifinals, Still No Medal
Slovenia’s Volleyball Nations League story began later than most. After winning the 2019 FIVB Volleyball Challenger Cup, the team was due to make its VNL debut in 2020, but the tournament was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Their first appearance therefore came in 2021 — and it immediately produced a run to the semifinals.
Since then, Slovenia have developed into one of the competition’s most persistent contenders. They reached the last four in 2021, 2024 and 2025, but lost the bronze medal match on all three occasions. That pattern has defined their VNL era: consistently capable of beating elite opponents, yet still one victory short of the podium.
The 2025 campaign captured that story perfectly. Slovenia claimed the final available ticket to the Finals, stunned defending champions France in the quarterfinals and then finished fourth after defeats to Italy and Brazil. This guide covers every completed Slovenian VNL season through 2025, including yearly results, key matches, leading players and team records.
Quick Facts
| Category | Record |
| VNL editions competed | 5 (2021–2025) |
| VNL titles | 0 |
| Total VNL medals | 0 |
| Best finish | 4th place (2021, 2024, 2025) |
| VNL semifinals | 3 (2021, 2024, 2025) |
| First VNL appearance | 2021 (Rimini) |
| First Finals appearance | 2021 |
| Head coach in 2025 | Fabio Soli |
| Captain in 2025 | Jan Kozamernik |
| Top scorer, 2025 Preliminary Phase | Rok Možič — 155 points |
| VNL 2025 Dream Team | Jan Kozamernik — Middle Blocker |
Slovenia VNL Results by Year
| Year | Final Position | Finals Status / Key Result |
| 2020 | — | Qualified through the 2019 Challenger Cup, but the VNL was cancelled |
| 2021 | 4th | First VNL appearance; lost semifinal to Poland and bronze match to France |
| 2022 | 10th | Did not qualify for the Finals |
| 2023 | 7th | Reached Finals; lost quarterfinal to Japan 0–3 |
| 2024 | 4th | Topped Preliminary Phase; beat Argentina in QF; lost bronze match to Poland |
| 2025 | 4th | Beat France in QF; lost semifinal to Italy and bronze match to Brazil |
Season-by-Season History
2019–2020 — Challenger Cup Victory and a Delayed Debut
Slovenia earned promotion to the Volleyball Nations League by winning the 2019 FIVB Volleyball Challenger Cup on home soil in Ljubljana. They defeated Cuba 3–0 in the final and secured a place in the 2020 VNL.
The debut had to wait. The 2020 competition was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, while Slovenia retained the place they had earned. As a result, their first VNL match came one year later in the Rimini Bubble.
2021 — A Remarkable Debut and First Fourth-Place Finish
Slovenia made an immediate impact in their first VNL campaign. Under head coach Alberto Giuliani, they finished third in the Preliminary Phase with a 12–3 record and qualified for the four-team Finals in Rimini.
Poland defeated Slovenia 3–0 (25–22, 25–21, 25–23) in the semifinal. France then won the bronze medal match in straight sets, leaving Slovenia fourth. Although the campaign ended without a medal, reaching the Final Four in their debut established Slovenia as a genuine force in the competition.
Final result: 4th place. Preliminary Phase: 3rd, 12–3. Semifinal: lost to Poland 0–3. Bronze medal match: lost to France 0–3.
2022 — Outside the Finals
The second VNL season was more difficult. Slovenia completed the Preliminary Phase in 10th place and missed the top-eight cutoff for the Finals in Bologna.
Mark Lebedew led the team during the VNL but was replaced later that summer. Gheorghe Crețu took over before the World Championship and guided Slovenia to the semifinals of that event, but he did not coach them during the 2022 VNL itself.
Final result: 10th place. Did not qualify for the Finals.
2023 — Return to the Finals
Slovenia returned to the VNL Finals in 2023 after finishing seventh in the Preliminary Phase with eight wins from 12 matches. Their quarterfinal opponent in Gdańsk was Japan, one of the tournament’s fastest-rising teams.
Japan won 3–0, with captain Yuki Ishikawa producing a standout 27-point performance. Slovenia’s campaign ended in the quarterfinals, and they were ranked seventh in the final standings.
Final result: 7th place. Quarterfinal: lost to Japan 0–3. Location: Gdańsk, Poland.
2024 — First in the Preliminary Phase, Fourth in the Finals
The 2024 season produced Slovenia’s strongest Preliminary Phase. They finished first overall and entered the Finals in Łódź as the top-seeded team.
Their quarterfinal against Argentina became one of the most dramatic matches of the tournament. Slovenia twice fell behind but recovered to win 3–2 (19–25, 25–17, 17–25, 29–27, 15–7). Tonček Štern scored 31 points — 27 attacks, three blocks and one ace.
Japan defeated Slovenia 3–0 (25–21, 27–25, 31–29) in the semifinal. Poland then won the bronze medal match 3–0 (26–24, 25–16, 25–17), leaving Slovenia fourth for the second time.
Final result: 4th place. Quarterfinal: beat Argentina 3–2. Semifinal: lost to Japan 0–3. Bronze medal match: lost to Poland 0–3.
2025 — Final Ticket, Major Upset, Another Fourth Place
Slovenia entered their final Preliminary Phase match needing a victory over Serbia to stay in the race for the last available Finals ticket. They secured it in a dramatic five-set match, winning 3–2 (25–21, 23–25, 23–25, 25–18, 17–15). The result placed them sixth with a 7–5 record and 19 points.
In Ningbo, Slovenia faced defending VNL champions and reigning Olympic champions France. Despite entering as underdogs, they produced the biggest upset of the quarterfinal round, winning 3–1 (25–22, 15–25, 25–19, 25–18). Slovenia recorded 10 blocks to France’s four and committed far fewer unforced errors.
Italy ended Slovenia’s medal hopes in the semifinal with a 3–1 victory (25–22, 22–25, 25–21, 25–18). Brazil then recovered from losing the first set to win the bronze medal match 3–1 (23–25, 25–20, 25–23, 25–19). Slovenia finished fourth for the third time in five VNL appearances.
Jan Kozamernik was selected as one of the tournament’s best middle blockers in the VNL 2025 Dream Team.
Final result: 4th place. Preliminary Phase: 6th, 7–5, 19 points. Quarterfinal: beat France 3–1. Semifinal: lost to Italy 1–3. Bronze medal match: lost to Brazil 1–3.
Key Players in Slovenia’s VNL History
Jan Kozamernik (Middle Blocker / Captain)
Kozamernik has been central to Slovenia’s rise in the VNL and captained the team in 2025. His blocking, quick attacking and leadership were recognised with selection to the VNL 2025 Dream Team as a middle blocker.
Tonček Štern (Opposite)
Štern delivered the defining individual performance of Slovenia’s VNL history in the 2024 quarterfinal against Argentina. His 31-point contribution powered the five-set comeback and remains the team’s standout Finals performance.
Rok Možič (Outside Hitter)
Možič led Slovenia with 155 points in the 2025 Preliminary Phase. He was also an important figure in the decisive win over Serbia and the quarterfinal upset of France, combining heavy attacking with pressure serving and backcourt responsibility.
Tine Urnaut (Outside Hitter)
Urnaut captained Slovenia during their breakthrough 2021 campaign and has provided experience, serve reception and reliable attacking across several editions. His leadership helped connect the team’s first VNL appearance with its later semifinal runs.
Klemen Čebulj (Outside Hitter)
Čebulj has been one of Slovenia’s most dependable scoring options in high-pressure matches. His power from the left side and ability to contribute in both attack and reception have made him a regular part of the team’s Finals line-ups.
Uroš Planinšič (Setter)
Planinšič has directed Slovenia’s offence during recent VNL campaigns. His tempo, distribution and willingness to involve the middle attackers have helped Slovenia compete against teams with greater depth and physical size.
Memorable Match: Slovenia Shock France in Ningbo
Slovenia 3–1 France — VNL 2025 Quarterfinal
France arrived at the 2025 Finals as defending VNL champions and two-time reigning Olympic champions. Slovenia had claimed the last ticket to Ningbo and entered the quarterfinal without the same expectations.
The result overturned those expectations. Slovenia won 3–1 (25–22, 15–25, 25–19, 25–18), outblocking France 10–4 and limiting their own mistakes after a difficult second set. Rok Možič and Tonček Štern supplied the attacking pressure, while Jan Kozamernik helped control the net.
The victory sent Slovenia to their third VNL semifinal and stands as their most significant knockout win in the competition through 2025.
Head Coaches
| VNL Edition | Coach | Nationality | Key Result |
| 2021 | Alberto Giuliani | Italian | 4th place in Slovenia’s debut |
| 2022 | Mark Lebedew | Australian | 10th; did not reach Finals |
| 2023–2024 | Gheorghe Crețu | Romanian | 4th in 2024; topped Preliminary Phase |
| 2025 | Fabio Soli | Italian | 4th; beat France in quarterfinal |
Slovenia’s VNL coaching history has featured experienced international appointments. Giuliani oversaw the breakthrough debut, Crețu built the team that topped the 2024 Preliminary Phase, and Soli continued the semifinal pattern in his first VNL campaign in 2025.
Slovenia VNL Records at a Glance
| Category | Record |
| Total VNL medals | 0 |
| Best finish | 4th place (2021, 2024, 2025) |
| VNL semifinals | 3 |
| Consecutive Finals appearances | 3 (2023–2025) |
| Best Preliminary Phase finish | 1st overall (2024) |
| Best individual Finals performance | Tonček Štern — 31 points vs Argentina, QF 2024 |
| Top scorer, 2025 Preliminary Phase | Rok Možič — 155 points |
| VNL 2025 Dream Team | Jan Kozamernik — Middle Blocker |
| Completed editions competed | 5 (2021–2025) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Slovenia ever won a VNL medal?
No. Slovenia reached the semifinals in 2021, 2024 and 2025 but lost the bronze medal match each time — to France, Poland and Brazil respectively. Their best finish is fourth place.
When did Slovenia first compete in the VNL?
Slovenia made their VNL debut in 2021. They had qualified by winning the 2019 FIVB Volleyball Challenger Cup, but the 2020 VNL was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Why did Slovenia not play in the VNL before 2021?
Slovenia were not part of the original VNL line-up. Their 2019 Challenger Cup victory earned promotion for 2020, and the cancellation of that edition delayed their debut until 2021.
What is Slovenia’s best VNL finish?
Slovenia’s best result is fourth place, achieved in 2021, 2024 and 2025.
What was Slovenia’s best individual VNL performance?
Tonček Štern scored 31 points in the 2024 quarterfinal victory over Argentina. He recorded 27 attacks, three blocks and one ace in Slovenia’s 3–2 win.
Who coached Slovenia in the 2025 VNL?
Italian coach Fabio Soli led Slovenia during the 2025 VNL. In his first campaign, the team defeated France in the quarterfinals and finished fourth.
Did Slovenia ever top the VNL standings?
Yes. Slovenia finished first in the 2024 Preliminary Phase before advancing to the Finals in Łódź.
What happened to Slovenia in the 2025 VNL?
Slovenia qualified for the Finals with a 7–5 record, beat France 3–1 in the quarterfinal, lost to Italy 1–3 in the semifinal and then lost the bronze medal match to Brazil 1–3.
Which Slovenian player made the VNL 2025 Dream Team?
Captain and middle blocker Jan Kozamernik was selected for the VNL 2025 Dream Team.
Quick Summary
- Five completed editions: Slovenia have competed in every VNL from their 2021 debut through 2025.
- Three fourth-place finishes: They reached the semifinals in 2021, 2024 and 2025 but remain without a medal.
- Best league-round result: Slovenia topped the 2024 Preliminary Phase standings.
- Signature victory: The 3–1 quarterfinal upset of defending champions France in 2025 is their biggest VNL knockout win.
- Leading performers: Tonček Štern owns the team’s standout Finals scoring performance, while Jan Kozamernik made the 2025 Dream Team.
- Next target: Slovenia continue to pursue the first VNL podium finish in their history.
Coverage note: This article covers completed men’s VNL editions through 2025. Results from the ongoing 2026 tournament are not included in the historical totals until the competition concludes.
Last updated: July 2026
Data sources: Official Volleyball World and FIVB competition records.
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