Dorota Sveniewicz for “Wprost”: Competitors already know how strong the Polish team is

In 1991-2009, Dorota Sveniewicz played 325 official matches for the Polish national team. At the same time, being one of the most important figures of the legendary Zlotek coach Andrzej Nemczyk. Two-time European champion (2003 and 2005 - in the second tournament she was chosen as the MVP of the entire competition), she currently coaches youth volleyball. And additionally acting as an expert on television.

Svenevich keeps his fingers crossed for the results achieved by the Polish team. Especially for Wprost, she shared her observations about the European Championship, which will last from August 15 to September 3. Byalo-Chervone will play in Belgian Ghent, and the Poles will compete in the group: Slovenes (August 18, 20:00), Hungarians (August 20, 20:00), Serbs (August 21, 17:00), Belgians. (August 22, 20:00) and Ukrainian women (August 24, 17:00).

Interview with Dorota Sveniewicz, former Polish volleyball player

Maciej Piasecki (“Wprost”): Will we have something to celebrate during the European Volleyball Championship?

Dorota Sveniewicz (former Polish representative, two-time European champion): I must admit that before the start of the tournament I have mixed feelings. Keep in mind that there is another major problem on the horizon. I mean the qualifying tournament for the Olympic Games in Paris. That’s why I think our ME team shouldn’t show this 100% uniform. The form should still grow up in order to prepare for the September Olympic qualification.

On the other hand, the girls gave me new hopes with their good, cool game during the League of Nations. I am looking forward to the European Championship because I want our team to achieve impressive success at such an event.

Is it possible to build two shape vertices in such a short time?

This is a difficult task. If my memory serves me right, in 2005 the Nemchik team also had to fix two peaks of form in a short period of time. At the start of the national team season, we lost qualification for the World Cup. Such a disappointing result disrupted the entire period of preparation, which was initially taken over by the headquarters of the national team.

I had to play, in addition to the European Championship, additional qualifications for the World Championship. This additional tournament probably took place in Bulgaria. Then I had to “beep” twice, there was no way out. But, fortunately, we did it, qualified for the World Championship next year, and besides, shortly after that, we defended the European title.

Did you generally keep in shape?

Yes, it was actually the only solution. To build something shortly after one task and right before the next, there would be no time frame. Therefore, I believe that in the case of our current team, a short period between the European Championship and the tournament for the Olympic Games in Paris will be beneficial.

There will be a short rest after the first test and proper maintenance of what they have worked so far and we know that this team has a lot of potential.

There is also such a bad script, phew, which I will also knock on unpainted. Therefore, when we do not achieve a good result at the European Championship, the event will end for us earlier than we expect. Then this tournament, unused time, will have to turn into another stage of strengthening our team.

Türkiye, Serbia, Italy and Poland. Do you expect such a set in the fight for medals at the European Championship?

I think so, I don’t expect any surprises.

As for our team, I firmly believe that the girls will win medals. Gold would be a dream, but due to the fact that the team is still being built, I would not want to put pressure on the girls to win the European Championship here and now. Let it be a puck of any color.

The standings indicate that Turkish women will stand in the way of Polish women. Should the results of recent friendly matches between these teams be taken into account?

It is usually said that the results of friendly matches before major tournaments should be treated as secondary. Teams meet mainly in order to test themselves in order to resist, preferably, an opponent of a similar sports class, or even better. So that you know what you can work on, what elements to improve.

During the European Championship, no one will remember what happened before the tournament. This will be a new blank slate for the record. Each team will play first of all on the result.

European Championship - the most difficult tournament after the Olympic?

Looking at Europe, there are definitely more teams that show a similar level or style of play. In an event like the MOE, the daily routine is often crucial.

It’s hard to believe that this year marks exactly 20 years since your first gold in the national team at the European Championships?

Well, yes. I have these residual memories of that wonderful time. The most important moments when we stood on the most important podium, receiving gold medals. Dombrowski’s Mazurka audition was also exceptional. I have it before my eyes. Although the entire tournament path, each element after 20 years is no longer so important. I don’t remember it in detail, at least I don’t.

It’s hard to believe that two decades have passed and we are still beautiful and young. (laughter)

Could you point out what exactly led you to two championship titles?

Twenty years ago we were in a slightly different reality. At that time, our country was not so valued in terms of volleyball. Each of us had a hunger and a desire to go abroad. Challenge yourself, see another world.

There were legends about how to train, for example, in Italy. Everyone wanted to go, see and experience it for themselves. Playing for the national team was a window to a better future. In addition, these were also times when each of the girls wanted to play in the national team, none of them even thought of giving up the selector. We were driven by the desire to succeed, to prove to others that we are capable of great things, both individually and as a team. To show that Poland is also training hard and that our players can succeed against the best. That’s what happened.

So, paradoxically, today our volleyball players can be harder?

It’s hard to put together.

In most Polish clubs today we are talking about quite professional structures. The mentality of the players has also changed, and training in Poland is also different. We have nothing to be ashamed of. For this reason, our volleyball players have to look for somewhat different goals and objectives in terms of the success of the national team.

You need to stimulate your body, athletic ambitions to reach the next rungs of the professional ladder. Only thanks to this, each of the girls can develop. And not just in the backyard. You should try the risk of going abroad. Such a step allows you to gain even more experience, which can pay off at key moments. Also during the game at the national level.

As for the tournament, is there a weaker moment, a worse match?

Now the European Championship is a different event than when I played for the national team. First of all, by the number of meetings. We theoretically start on August 15th and end on September 3rd. Previously, the tournament lasted about ten days. This is of course an effect of the increase in the number of teams, which also means that the level of individual matches varies.

However, you will have to be attentive all the time, extremely concentrated, make the best use of the free time that will appear in the tournament schedule. There are worse moments, it seems normal. The trick is to eliminate that risk. Or try to make sure that they do not occur at key moments in the tournament.

And how did Zlotka spend their free time during the European Championships, if any?

Time was short, but I remember these moments to take a breath.

For example, we needed to take a walk together before breakfast. It was supposed to be some kind of launch, but our coaching staff wanted us to be properly oxygenated in the morning.

Our state also had freedom. We could spend time together, but there were also moments when we had our own groups. As it happens in groups, regardless of time. It is important to see a clear goal together, to strive towards it together.

Malvina Smazhek will not participate in the tournament. Does the idea of ​​putting her on the field as a host have any future?

If you look at the example of Turkish women and the global trend as a whole, then this decision with Malvina Smazek is not a big surprise. The direction is clear, there is a search for strong volleyball players, a search for simple volleyball players.

We know the key is the serve, which gets harder and harder. Many teams have problems getting the ball perfectly or even hitting the net. Teams focus more on decisions when playing on the so-called. high ball, for right and left attacks.

The whole world is moving in this direction, they are looking for strong and physical players. I suspect that coach Stefano Lavarini has such a plan. Unfortunately, Malvina Smarzek left the ME due to an injury, but apparently her future will be connected with the position of the hostess in the team.

It is important that some volleyball players, who play a little differently than most in the world, showed already last season that they can win. This is a great advantage for our team, which can surprise opponents with various decisions on the field.

In addition, Magdalena Stisiak plays a great attacking role. In the case of Smarzek, I thought about the role that Bartosz Kurek played in the team in the past. Maybe in a few years the volleyball player will return to attack in the national team?

It is difficult to predict what will happen in a few years.

I recently read an interview (for “Wprost” by Michał Viniarczyk, edited by eMPe) in which Stysiak herself admitted that the most important thing is that all the best players in it want to play. Let’s stick with it. Let’s not look for various strange subtexts in the functioning of the view.

It is important that the staff remain calm. Girls should focus primarily on their work. Decisions regarding individual positions on the field are made by the headquarters, headed by the first coach. And they know what they’re doing.

Is there anything that puzzles you in the context of our team’s performance at the European Championship? Maybe join Joanna Volosh?

I’m calm about it. Aska, according to many experts, is the best quarterback in the world. There’s something about him, that flare, that volleyball panache. In addition, it gives a lot of peace of mind on the field. Looking at the upcoming test of the ME team, I feel impatient. Mainly because our girls play very well.

In the context of the Polish national team, it is interesting whether the girls worked additionally in the service. We definitely have a lot of reserves here as a team. So I’m curious to see what we see in this element during the tournament.

Will the group match with the Serbs be the first exam for the Poles?

Let’s sum up after the tournament. There is no point in applying too much pressure after subsequent meetings. Despite the young age of the representatives, we are talking about a very experienced team that knows what to do on the field.

In addition, the girls have one head, they know how to approach this tournament. The goal is far away and you need to take small steps towards it. Only such reliable work, from training to training, from match to match, will give really great results.

We keep our fingers crossed for our team. The girls can bring us a lot of joy, but the competitors probably already know that the Polish team is strong and dangerous. So it will be a more difficult task than the recent League of Nations.