Serhiy Kapelus, a native of Sokal, has been appointed head coach of Ukraine’s U-21 men’s volleyball team.
The squad will begin preparations on June 23 for the European Championship 2026 qualifiers, which kick off on July 10. Additionally, the team will compete in the U-21 World Championship in China from August 21 to 31, facing strong opponents such as Italy, Argentina, Tunisia, and France.
Kapelus is a graduate of the Sokal youth sports school “Sokolyany,” where he was coached by Oleksandr Tokazh and Roman Pletinka. Between 2009 and 2014, he was a key player and frequent captain of Ukraine’s national volleyball team.
In Ukraine, Kapelus played for several clubs:
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Sokil Sokal
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Pidshypnyk Lutsk
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Krymsoda Krasnoperekopsk
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Markokhm Mariupol
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Lokomotyv Kharkiv
He won national championships, the Ukrainian Cup, and multiple Super League medals.
His international career in Poland was equally successful, having played for:
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Politechnika Warszawska
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Pamapol Wieluń
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Zaksa Kędzierzyn-Koźle
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BBTS Bielsko-Biała
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GKS Katowice
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Indykpol AZS Olsztyn
With these clubs, he secured the Polish Cup and earned silver and bronze medals in the national championship.
Kapelus ended his playing career in 2022 and transitioned to coaching, taking the helm of BBTS Bielsko-Biała. Now, he is set to lead Ukraine’s U-21 team into major international tournaments with high expectations.