The countdown to the highly anticipated final round of the CEV Snow Volley European Tour is almost over. Prato Nevoso, Italy, is poised to host this thrilling event scheduled for this weekend, March 30th-31st. Twenty-six elite teams, representing ten different nations, are ready to compete in both the men`s and women`s tournaments. Saturday will feature intense pool and elimination rounds, setting the stage for Sunday`s dramatic final phases, culminating in the championship matches and awards ceremony in the early afternoon. The excitement will continue beyond the tournament with the extended Snow Volley Festival on Easter Monday.
Men`s Tournament: A Battle of Champions and Challengers
The men’s competition has drawn eighteen registered teams, with a strong contingent of twelve from Italy. The remaining six teams hail from Switzerland, Türkiye, France, Poland, Belgium, and a special wild card entry from Uruguay.
Among the top contenders are the formidable French duo of Adrien Pédèches and Iskander El-Ghouti, who were victorious in European Tour round-2 in Erzurum, Türkiye, alongside Daniel Petrov. This time, Pédèches and El-Ghouti will join forces with Julien Saint-Vanne and Nicolas Salmon. Also aiming for the top are the Polish athletes Piotr Groszek, Michal Matyja, and Mikolaj Kaczmarek, who are seeking revenge after their defeat in the Turkish round final against France; Karole Szczepanik completes their quartet.
Italian hopes are high for the trio of Massimo Di Risio, Federico Geromin, and Matteo Camozzi, who previously clinched the inaugural round in Bakuriani, Georgia, overcoming Poland 1. Additional Italian talent includes Alessandro Carucci, the Pizzileo brothers (Filippo, Tommaso, Edoardo), Michele Bennato, Matteo Carlon, Enrico Lupatelli, and Gaetano Vespero. Local heroes Thomas Berger, Michael Burgmann, and Peter Seeber, who were crowned Italian snow volleyball champions in Prato Nevoso last year, will also be competing, adding an extra layer of anticipation.
Women`s Tournament: Fierce Competition for the Crown
Eight teams have registered for the women’s draw, comprising two from Hungary, one from Türkiye, one from Czechia, one from Austria, and three from Italy. The Italian champions Sofia Arcaini, Sara Breidenbach, and Anna Dalmazzo are set to be prominent rivals. However, they will face stiff competition from the dominant Turkish team of Erve Celebi, Zeynep Dila, Nursel Yaren Sencel, and Simge Yalcin. This powerful Turkish quartet has already secured victories in both the Bakuriani round (defeating their countrywomen Simdim, Sayar, Yuceturk, Civan) and the home round in Erzurum (against Romania’s Hododi, Miu, Bradatan, Shahzada).
Overall, the event promises to be a vibrant gathering, with over 250 individuals—including athletes, referees, and staff—expected to participate in Prato Nevoso for both the tournament and the extensive Snow Volley Festival.
