Tomasz Fornal

{{Infobox volleyball biography

| name = Tomasz Fornal

| image = Tomasz Fornal 2024.03.24 04 (cropped).jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Fornal in 2024

| fullname =

| nickname =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1997|8|31|df=y}}

| birth_place = Kraków, Poland

| hometown =

| height = 2.00 m

| weight = 92 kg

| spike = 348 cm

| college =

| position = Outside hitter

| currentclub = Jastrzębski Węgiel

| currentnumber = 21

| years = 2016–2019
2019–2025

| teams = Czarni Radom
Jastrzębski Węgiel

| nationalyears = 2018–

| nationalteam = {{vb|POL}}

| medaltemplates =

{{MedalCountry| {{POL}} }}

}}

Tomasz Fornal (Polish pronunciation: {{IPAc-pl|'|t|o|m|a||sz|-|'|f|o|r|n|a|l}}; born 31 August 1997) is a Polish professional volleyball player who plays as an outside hitter for Jastrzębski Węgiel and the Poland national team. Fornal won silver medals at the 2024 Summer Olympics and the 2022 World Championship as well as the 2021 Polish Champion title with Jastrzębski Węgiel.{{cite web |url=https://en.volleyballworld.com/volleyball/competitions/men-world-championship-2022/news/fantastic-italy-regain-world-title-after-24-years |title=Fantastic Italy regain world title after 24 years |work=volleyballworld.com |date=11 September 2022 |access-date=14 September 2022}}

Career

=Junior career=

He started playing volleyball at the 22 UKS (Students' Sport Club) run by the Elementary School No. 155 in Kraków. He then represented Hutnik Dobry Wynik volleyball club while attending Junior High School No. 46 in Kraków. He subsequently entered the youth squad of PGE Skra Bełchatów and won bronze medal at the Polish Junior Championships with the team.{{Cite web |url=https://www.plusliga.pl/news/id/38968.html |language=pl |title=Tomasz Fornal w Jastrzębskim Węglu |access-date=29 September 2022}}

=Senior career=

In 2016, he made his debut in PlusLiga, Poland's highest level professional volleyball league, by joining Czarni Radom.{{Cite web |url= https://volleyworld.pl/volleynews-tomasz-fornal-zawodnikiem-czarnych-radom/ |language=pl |title=Tomasz Fornal zawodnikiem Czarnych Radom! |access-date=1 October 2022}} In 2019, he changed his club and joined Jastrzębski Węgiel{{Cite web |url= https://przegladsportowy.onet.pl/siatkowka/plusliga/tomasz-fornal-nowym-siatkarzem-jastrzebskiego-wegla-or-plusliga/d4mmn92 |language=pl |title=Tomasz Fornal w Jastrzębskim Węglu |access-date=1 October 2022}} with which he won the 2021 Polish Championship{{Cite web |url= https://przegladsportowy.onet.pl/siatkowka/plusliga/siatowka-tomasz-fornal-po-zdobyciu-mistrzostwa-polski/js0zkx4 |language=pl |title=Tomasz Fornal po zdobyciu mistrzostwa Polski: Możemy być potęgą na lata |access-date=1 October 2022}} and the 2022 Polish SuperCup.{{Cite web |url= https://sport.se.pl/siatkowka/siatkarze-z-jastrzebia-zgarneli-superpuchar-tomasz-fornal-mvp-aa-nYQB-i1eT-1h3J.html |language=pl |title=Siatkarze z Jastrzębia zgarnęli Superpuchar. Tomasz Fornal MVP |access-date=1 October 2022}} In 2023, he won silver medal with Jastrzębski Węgiel in the 2022–23 CEV Champions League losing to ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle in the first ever all-Polish Champions League final.{{Cite web |url=https://www.polskieradio.pl/395/7790/Artykul/3173075,volleyball-poland%E2%80%99s-zaksa-win-champions-league-in-allpolish-final |title=Volleyball: Poland’s Zaksa win Champions League in all-Polish final |website=polskieradio.pl |date=21 May 2023 |access-date=21 May 2023}}

=National team=

On 12 April 2015, the Poland, including Fornal, won the U19 European Champions title. They beat Italy in the final (3–1).{{cite web |url=https://sportowefakty.wp.pl/siatkowka/514096/me-kadetow-ogromny-sukces-reprezentacji-polski-jest-zloto |title=ME kadetów: Ogromny sukces reprezentacji Polski! Jest złoto! |work=sportowefakty.wp.pl |language=pl |date=12 April 2015 |access-date=15 September 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://www-old.cev.eu/News.aspx?NewsID=20083&ID=5 |title= Poland crown fabulous campaign with gold, Italy and Turkey complete podium |work=CEV |date=12 April 2015 |access-date=15 September 2020}} He took part in the 2015 European Youth Olympic Festival, and on 1 August 2015 won the tournament after beating Bulgaria in the final (3–0). On 23 August 2015, Poland won their first title of the U19 World Champions. In the final his team beat hosts – Argentina (3–2).{{cite web |url=http://u19.men.2015.volleyball.fivb.com/en/news/history-rewritten-for-poland-as-they-grab?id=56607 |title=History rewritten for Poland as they grab first ever Boys’ U19 gold medal |work=fivb.com |date=24 August 2015 |access-date=15 September 2020}}

On 10 September 2016, he won the U20 European Champion title after winning 7 of 7 matches at the tournament, and beating Ukraine in the final (3–1).{{cite web |url=https://www-old.cev.eu/News.aspx?NewsID=23951&ID=10 |title= Poland triumph with U20 European gold in Plovdiv |work=CEV |date=10 September 2016 |access-date=15 September 2020}} On 2 July 2017, Poland, including Fornal, won the U21 World Champions title after beating Cuba in the final (3–0).{{cite web |url=https://www.fivb.com/en/about/news/poland-shut-out-cuba-to-triumph-with?id=69722 |title=Poland shut out Cuba to triumph with U21 World Championship gold! |work=fivb.com |date=2 July 2017 |access-date=15 September 2020}}{{cite web |url=http://u21.men.2017.volleyball.fivb.com/en/news/great-generation-of-polish-players-celebrate-time?id=69726 |title=Great generation of Polish players celebrate time together with U21 world title |work=fivb.com |date=2 July 2017 |access-date=15 September 2020}} His national team won 47 matches in the row and never lost.{{cite web |url=http://u21.men.2017.volleyball.fivb.com/en/news/47-games-without-losing-i-am-so?id=69724 |title=47 games without losing! I am so proud of these boys – coach Pawlik |work=fivb.com |date=2 July 2017 |access-date=15 September 2020}}

In 2022, he won a bronze medal with the national team at the 2022 Nations League held in Bologna, Italy.{{Cite web |url= https://www.polskieradio.pl/395/7790/Artykul/3007429,Volleyball-Poles-win-bronze-in-Nations-League |title=Volleyball: Poles win bronze in Nations League |access-date=2 October 2022}}{{Cite web |url= https://sportowefakty.wp.pl/siatkowka/1012284/totalna-demolka-tomasz-fornal-odmienil-mecz |language=pl |title=Totalna demolka. Tomasz Fornal odmienił mecz |access-date=2 October 2022}} The same year, he won a silver medal at the 2022 World Championship jointly held in Poland and Slovenia, losing in the final to Italy (1–3).{{Cite web |url= https://trojka.polskieradio.pl/artykul/3036147,PM-meets-Poland%C3%A2%E2%82%AC%E2%84%A2s-silver-winning-volleyball-team |title=PM meets Poland’s silver-winning volleyball team |access-date=2 October 2022}}{{Cite web |url=https://sport.wprost.pl/mistrzostwa-swiata-w-siatkowce-2022/10862455/tomasz-fornal-zdradzil-jak-siatkarze-spedzili-wieczor-po-finale-mistrzostw-swiata-wspaniale-slowa-przyjmujacego-na-temat-bartosza-kurka.html |language=pl |title=Tomasz Fornal zdradził, jak siatkarze spędzili wieczór po finale mistrzostw świata. Wspaniałe słowa przyjmującego na temat Bartosza Kurka |access-date=2 October 2022}}

In July 2023, he won a gold medal with his national team at the 2023 Nations League, defeating United States 3–1 in the final.{{Cite web |url=https://www.thefirstnews.com/article/good-work-lads-mens-volleyball-team-wins-the-vnl-tournament-for-first-time-40092 |title=Good work lads! Men’s volleyball team WINS the VNL tournament for first time |website=thefirstnews.com |author=Alex Webber |date=24 July 2023 |access-date=30 July 2023}} In September 2023, he won a gold medal at the 2023 European Championship, defeating the reigning World Champions Italy in the final (3–0).{{Cite web |url=https://instavolley.com/poland-clinches-gold-in-2023-european-volleyball-championship/#:~:text=Poland%20secured%20their%20second%20gold%20medal%20in%20the,of%2011%2C300%20at%20Palazzo%20dello%20Sport%20in%20Rome. |title=Poland Clinches Gold in 2023 European Volleyball Championship |website=instavolley.com |date=17 September 2023 |access-date=20 September 2023}}

In August 2024, he won the silver medal at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris.{{Cite web |url=https://www.polskieradio.pl/395/7790/Artykul/3412806,poland-claim-olympic-silver-in-mens-volleyball |title=Poland claim Olympic silver in men's volleyball |website=polskieradio.pl |access-date=10 August 2024}}

Personal life

His father, Marek, is a former volleyball player, a two–time Polish Champion (1988, 1989) with Hutnik Nowa Huta while his mother, Dorota, is a PE teacher. He has an older brother, Jan.{{cite web |url=https://echodnia.eu/radomskie/po-latach-fornal-znowu-w-czarnych-kiedys-gral-marek-teraz-zagra-tomasz/ar/10554142 |title=Po latach Fornal znowu w Czarnych. Kiedyś grał Marek, teraz zagra Tomasz |work=echodnia.eu |language=pl |date=25 August 2016 |access-date=15 September 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://dziennikpolski24.pl/jan-fornal-przez-krakow-do-ekstraklasy/ar/9122413 |title=Jan Fornal. Przez Kraków do ekstraklasy |work=dziennikpolski24.pl |language=pl |date=26 November 2015 |access-date=15 September 2020}}{{Cite web |url=https://sport.se.pl/siatkowka/wielu-nie-da-wiary-czym-zajmuje-sie-mama-tomasza-fornala-takim-zawodem-moze-pochwalic-sie-dorota-fornal-ma-wazna-role-aa-aTGp-LQND-iKZF.html |language=pl |title=Wielu nie da wiary, czym zajmuje się mama Tomasza Fornala. Takim zawodem może pochwalić się Dorota Fornal, ma ważną rolę |website=sport.se.pl |author=Waldemar Kowalski |date=27 February 2024 |access-date=9 April 2024}}

In 2024, he was involved in the 32nd edition of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity. The winner of the charity auction was given an opportunity to go to Jastrzębie-Zdrój and take part in a training session with his team as well as go for a dinner with the player.{{Cite web |url=https://siatka.org/pokaz/co-na-aukcje-wosp-przekazali-siatkarze/ |language=pl |title=Polska siatkówka gra z Wielką Orkiestrą Świątecznej Pomocy! |website=siatka.org |date=25 January 2024 |access-date=9 April 2024}}

Honours

=Club=

CEV Champions League
16px 2022–23 – with Jastrzębski Węgiel
16px 2023–24 – with Jastrzębski Węgiel
Domestic
2020–21 16px Polish Championship, with Jastrzębski Węgiel
2021–22 16px Polish SuperCup, with Jastrzębski Węgiel
2022–23 16px Polish SuperCup, with Jastrzębski Węgiel
2022–23 16px Polish Championship, with Jastrzębski Węgiel{{cite web |url=https://przegladsportowy.onet.pl/siatkowka/plusliga/rywal-zmiazdzony-tytul-zdobyty-jastrzebski-wegiel-mistrzem-polski/dvelpmw |title=Rywal zmiażdżony, tytuł zdobyty! Jastrzębski Węgiel mistrzem Polski |work=Przegląd Sportowy |language=pl |date=10 May 2023 |access-date=11 May 2023}}
2023–24 16px Polish Championship, with Jastrzębski Węgiel
2024–25 16px Polish Cup, with Jastrzębski Węgiel

=Youth national team=

2014 16px CEV U20 European Championship
2015 16px CEV U19 European Championship
2015 16px European Youth Olympic Festival
2015 16px FIVB U19 World Championship
2016 16px CEV U20 European Championship
2017 16px FIVB U21 World Championship

=Individual awards=

2014: CEV U20 European Championship – Best receiver
2021: Polish SuperCup – Most valuable player
2023: PlusLiga – Player of the season{{cite web |url=https://sport.tvp.pl/70057440/za-nami-gala-polskiej-ligi-siatkowki-tomasz-fornal-wybrany-najlepszym-siatkarzem-sezonu |language=pl |title=Za nami Gala Polskiej Ligi Siatkówki. Tomasz Fornal wybrany najlepszym siatkarzem sezonu |work=TVP Sport |author=Maciej Ławrynowicz |date=23 May 2023 |access-date=24 May 2023}}
2024: FIVB Nations League – Best outside spiker
2025: Polish Cup – Most valuable player

=State awards=

* 2024: File:POL Polonia Restituta Kawalerski BAR.svg Knight's Cross of Polonia Restituta{{cite web |url=https://www.prezydent.pl/aktualnosci/ordery-i-odznaczenia/uroczystosc-wreczenia-odznaczen-medalistom-oraz-trenerom-igrzysk-xxxiii-olimpiady-paryz-2024,91045 |title=Uroczystość wręczenia odznaczeń medalistom oraz trenerom Igrzysk XXXIII Olimpiady Paryż 2024 |work=prezydent.pl |language=pl |date=9 September 2024 |accessdate=9 September 2024}}

References

External links

{{CEV player|51769|Player profile}}
[https://www.plusliga.pl/players/id/22806 Player profile] at PlusLiga.pl {{in lang|pl}}
[https://volleybox.net/tomasz-fornal-p4105 Player profile] at Volleybox.net

{{Navboxes

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{{Poland men volleyball team 2015 CEV U19 European Championship}}

{{Poland men volleyball team 2016 CEV U20 European Championship}}

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Category:1997 births

Category:Living people

Category:Sportspeople from Kraków