13/04/2013 21:00
Getting to know: Poland's evergreen Magdalena Sliwa
News from the clubs
.jpg)
Dabrowa Gornicza, Poland, April 13, 2013. Magdalena Sliwa is one of the most decorated Volleyball players of the past couple of decades. A member of Poland’s national team for 17 years (1990-2007), Sliwa is a double European champion (2003 and 2005), one of the best setters in Europe and a real Volleyball legend who briefly assisted Marco Bonitta by the time the Italian-born mentor coached Poland’s national team. Sliwa, who later this year will turn 44, is the absolute superstar of Tauron MKS DABROWA GORNICZA that this season participated in the CEV Volleyball Champions League and is currently playing in the semis of the national league versus Aluprof BIELSKO-BIALA.
Born on October 17, 1969 in Makow, Magdalena – who stands at 174 cm – started her Volleyball adventure by playing for Wisla KRAKOW (1986-1992), returning back there through 2006-2008. She was voted “Best Setter” as Poland’s national team claimed gold at the 2003 CEV European Championship in Turkey and her impressive list of honors includes national championships in Italy as well as in her home country, Poland.
She was somehow “adopted” by Italy spending there 8 years playing for the likes of Despar PERUGIA, Foppapedretti BERGAMO, Monte Schiavo Banca JESI and VICENZA Volley, before she got back to Poland. She first played in Dabrowa Gornicza from 2008 to 2010 and then once more in the past couple of seasons, winning twice the national cup. “I like the people and general atmosphere of Dabrowa, so that’s why I have decided to spend here the last few years of my career. I am very attached to the club, to the people and the fans” she says.
Sliwa’s daughter, Izabela, is also a Volleyball player who has graduated from the Volleyball school in Sosnowiec and currently represents the likes of Chemik POLICE. “I am very proud of her and my secret dream is to train together with my daughter in the same club” mum Magdalena stresses. Sliwa is very active in Dabrowa also off the court where she helps organize picnics, Beach Volleyball tournaments, charity matches and special actions for children. Though she is no longer a member of the national team, she still plays a great role in promoting the sport across the country and is a real role model for children and all Volleyball adepts.
|