Malbun, Liechtenstein, April 1, 2017. Snow Volleyball is no April Fools’ Day joke for Marta Ozolina/Jekaterina Stepanova. On April 1, the Latvian pair contributed to their country’s debut on the CEV Snow Volleyball European Tour and what a debut it was! The rookies won all their three matches in Malbun on Saturday and already worked up some solid appetite for their first gold.
With Stepanova playing indoor Volleyball for a Liechtenstein club, the Latvians already had the numerous spectators on their side. However, they also showed a real winning spirit and high-quality Snow Volleyball.
Ozolina/Stepanova started the competition with a 2-0 (11-7, 11-6) win against Germany’s Sarah Bauer/Anna Eiberger and then really shook Malbun with the first major upset of the competition. The Latvians came back from a set behind against the tournament’s top-seeded team, Anna Dostalova/Michaela Knoblochova from the Czech Republic, for an impressive 2-1 (9-11, 12-10, 11-7) victory over the two best-ranked players in Europe. After this, the fans were already sure their favourites would win their last pool match as well and so they did – 2-0 (11-3, 11-7) against Switzerland’s Nina Crameri/Josiane Schöni.
“First experience on the snow – not easy!” was Jekaterina Stepanova’s conclusion. “It feels really different and it is awesome! People are supporting us, so it does feel like I am at home now. Getting a medal is a must. Marta has travelled all the way from Latvia, so we feel that we are here to win!”
“Actually Snow Volleyball is kind of hard! When you go attacking, you slip all the time, but it is cool. I really enjoy it,” added Marta Ozolina, who is well known internationally for her excellent performances in Beach Volleyball. “I really like Liechtenstein, so when Jekaterina suggested that we play at this tournament, my reaction was – yeah, why not!”
Ozolina admits that so far her journey all the way from Latvia was all worth it. Her team is already in the pole position for Sunday’s semi-finals, but there are two more steps to make towards the much-desired gold.
Dostalova/Knoblochova finished second in the pool with two wins, followed by Crameri/Schöni with one victory in third place, and Bauer/Eiberger. As a result, in the semis, the Latvians will have to face the Germans once again, while the Czechs will meet the Swiss. Both matches for the spots in the final will take place on the centre court with the first one starting at 11:30.
For further information on the European Tour, click here or visit SnowVolleyball.com.