Donovaly, Slovakia, February 23, 2020. During the CEV Snow Volleyball European Tour event in Donovaly, the fans could watch in action not only the best Snow Volleyball players, but also Slovakia’s legends from other sports trying their hand at Snow Volleyball.

The weather in Donovaly during the second day of the third stop of the Snow Volleyball European Tour was not as sunny as on Saturday, but the special exhibition game with former ice-hockey players, footballers and biathletes went well. “It was a short match for me. At the beginning, I was stressed a little bit, but the ball was perfect. I like it. I used to play Beach Volleyball ten years ago for fun, but I had sand everywhere that time, also in my hair. So I prefer Snow Volleyball. To be honest, I have fun. The reason is also I have liked winter all my life,” said after the successful exhibition a member of the winning team and former Slovakian biathlete Martina Halinárová (silver medalist at the 1999 World Championship).

Martina Halinárova setting the ball

Halinárová was a member of a team with three times Slovakia’s footballer of the year Dušan Tittel and former indoor Volleyball player Adriana Marčeková. “It is very difficult to switch from indoor Volleyball to snow for me. It’s slippery, I was afraid I could hurt myself. I feel more confident playing indoors. I don't know if I could get used to the outdoor conditions of Snow Volleyball. But I am glad that an event like this is organised in my country. It would be also great for Volleyball to have snow competition at the Winter Olympic Games. There are not so many team sports at the Winter Olympics,” said Marčeková. 

Adriana Marčeková with Rastislav Pavlikovský and Ján Lašák

Also 2002 ice-hockey world champions Rastislav Pavlikovský and Ján Lašák had fun on snow in Donovaly. “Unfortunately, it was over when I started to feel good on snow. But I enjoyed it. I love winter. Although my fingers were freezing, it is a really nice promotion of this beautiful area. And it was not so far from my home, I live only 30 minutes from this place,” added Lašák.

Former football player Dušan Tittel praised his snow skills. “I have had many winter training sessions on snow during my football career. I know very well how to move in football boots on this surface. It was a good idea to organise an event like this. I cross fingers for this sport, I hope it will have a successful future,” Tittel said.

Happy faces of participants at the end of the game

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