Kronplatz / Plan de Corones, Italy, April 9, 2017. Michal Matyja is the real ‘King of the Snow’. Even though he changed partners a number of times throughout the 2017 edition of the CEV Snow Volleyball European Tour, nevertheless he finished on top of the pile even before the end of the tournament at Kronplatz / Plan de Corones. This result accounts for his fourth continental crown, after previously emerging as the ‘King of the Snow’ in 2013, 2014 and 2016 as well.
Michal started playing Snow Volleyball five years ago – and it happened quite accidentally. A friend living in Austria shared videos from a Snow Volleyball tournament and asked Michal to travel from Poland in order to play on the snow. “I did not have any experience and had never played on snow before, but we won the qualification before finishing the tournament in second place,” Michal recounts. “After that, I came back one year later, and this is how it all began.”
Matyja’s story is truly special – Michal does not play indoors back home in Poland and does not play Beach Volleyball either. “Snow Volleyball has become quite popular in Poland and it is all because of me, the results I have achieved on the European Tour and the information we spread across social media. Two Snow Volleyball tournaments took place earlier this winter in Poland, in Wisla and Bialka, two popular ski resorts, but I did not play there. I was only playing the role of ambassador. I only play on the European Tour.”
Michal announced his retirement earlier this season but eventually continued after finding a sponsor that would support him. “It is pretty difficult because the prize money is quite small and also logistically it is quite demanding because we have to drive some 1,000 km from Poland to the venue and another 1,000 to get back home. However, I really love playing Snow Volleyball, I like the atmosphere, everything!”
Matyja has visited many places around Europe but Kronplatz is definitely his favourite one: “The scenery here is just marvellous, you know, especially the background with these amazing mountains and snowy peaks. The organisation is great and I like Italian people, they are always so friendly and open. Next to this, I also liked Disentis and Malbun, both places were amazing too.”
Snow Volleyball is still very young but a first European Championship could take place in 2018. It would be a pity if this were to happen without the four-time ‘King of the Snow’. “I still do not know what I am going to do. If I find a sponsor, I will continue, otherwise I will just come and visit the tournaments for fun, but without the pressure of achieving results, winning matches, etc. Maybe if there is some extra support from the Polish Volleyball Federation, another season on the tour could be an option. We will see.”
Let us hope someone will come forward to provide support and the real ‘King of the Snow’ will be around for another season. At the end of the day, a European Tour without the man from the city of Glogów would not be the same…
For further information on the European Tour, click here or visit SnowVolleyball.com.