22/02/2020 13:00
Slovak champions crowned in Donovaly before historic European Tour event
News from the National Federations
Donovaly, Slovakia, February 22, 2020. Shortly before the start of the third stop on this year’s CEV Snow Volleyball European Tour, the ski resort of Donovaly played host to the third edition of the Slovakian Snow Volleyball national championships.
The 2018 and 2019 editions of the event had taken place elsewhere, and more specifically in Štrbské Pleso in the High Tatras.
There was heavy snowfall throughout the competition, which counted as a qualifying event for this year’s CEV EuroSnowVolley as well. However, the sun eventually came out on Saturday morning for the start of the European Tour stop, even though only briefly, before making space for mostly cloudy weather, with temperatures around zero degrees.
The organisers have prepared two courts, which they used on Friday for their national competition as well. Saturday’s fixtures gathered some 200 fans already early in the morning. “We could see dramatic games since the beginning of the tournament. We have had many matches lasting for three sets,” said media officer Michal Bachratý.
“The playing surface is challenging, since it is quite slippery. We needed some time to adjust to it, but I am happy with our performance,” said Lenka Vandáková, the newly crowned Slovak champion along with Alica Bertová and Andrea Bundzelová. They beat Reginová, Harmanová, Kapráľová, and Jurenková 2-1 (13-15, 15-11, 15-7) in the final.
The Slovak men’s title went to Ivan Povrazník, Lukáš Kyjanica and Tomáš Vojkovič, who beat their opponents Naňo, A. Patúc, T. Patúc, Kiss 2-0 (15-8, 15-10) in the final. “I think that we were a little bit lucky. One of my teammates had to play with a calf injury, but the weather with heavy snowfall was an even bigger problem for us,” said Ivan Povrazník.
Ján Lašák, a 2002 ice-hockey world champion, is looking forward to trying this new game in Donovaly. “I have never played Snow Volleyball before. I have some knee problems, so my ability to move will be a bit limited, but I am curious to see how it will be,” said the former Slovakian goalkeeper. The exhibition match involving some other Slovakian sporting legends will be taking place on Sunday afternoon.
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