Snow Volleyball
The 2024 Slovenian National Snow Volleyball Championships, held recently at Krvavec Ski Resort, concluded with thrilling results. While the men`s reigning champions successfully defended their title, a new trio emerged victorious in the women`s category. The accomplished men`s team – comprising Tadej Boženk, Danijel Pokeršnik, Denis Robida, and joined this year by Matej Rapnik – once again claimed the gold. In the women`s competition, Špela Marušič, Polona Marušič, and debutante Anja Mazej celebrated their inaugural championship win.
Organized by the Volleyball Federation of Slovenia (OZS) in collaboration with RTC Krvavec, this fourth national championship attracted unprecedented interest, with a record 27 teams registering for the competition. The challenging matches unfolded simultaneously across four snow-covered courts.
The men`s final delivered a captivating spectacle, pitting the veteran champions against the promising young team of Klemen Mohar, Urban-Urh Jakše, and Benjamin Gašpar. The more experienced quartet, with Matej Rapnik stepping in for Alan Košenina, ultimately emerged victorious with a tight 2-1 win (15-12, 16-18, 15-12) after a fiercely contested battle across three exciting sets.
“The competition was very strong, and our strategy was based on our determination. We fought for every ball as if it was the last one, and that is how we managed to reach the final where we, unfortunately, lost due to a few minor mistakes.”
Urban-Urh Jakše, Men`s Silver Medallist
The bronze medals in the men`s division were secured by the championship`s youngest team – Miha Kosanec, Lan Juvan, and Benjamin Mugerli. Their impressive performances culminated in a victory over the more experienced team of Gregor Felkar, Jernej Borlinić, and Nejc Berčič, with scores of 15-13 and 15-9 in the third-place playoff.
In the women`s category, while Špela Marušič, Polona Marušič, and Anja Mazej claimed the coveted gold, last year`s champions Sara Valenčič, Anastazija Žnidar, and Teja Kolbl had to settle for second place, losing the final 8-15, 9-15.
“Congratulations to the winners. The teams are much stronger than last year, and the quality is improving every year, which is excellent. We will move on, and next year there will be another opportunity, and we will be aiming for gold again. A medal is a medal, and we are happy with the second place.”
Sara Valenčič, Women`s Silver Medallist
The women`s bronze medal match saw Maša Margon, Maša Knific, and Ana Marija Grabec prevail against Eva Pavlič, Kaja Gimpelj, and Anja Mitrovič with scores of 15-8 and 15-9.
The Volleyball Federation of Slovenia expressed immense satisfaction with its ongoing collaboration with RTC Krvavec, which has now successfully hosted the nation`s premier Snow Volleyball event for the third consecutive year. Janez Janša, director of RTC Krvavec, enthusiastically confirmed that top-tier Snow Volleyball matches at Krvavec Beach are scheduled to return next year, promising more high-level action.
