Cheering the loudest, being the proudest

 Well, I can't hide that it took me so long to write here a post. I just didn't have time because of exams, work and then cause of watching AVP Tourt. Finally found the best moment to do it! I'm travelling to see USA men's national team playin in Cracow so I have full 9 hours to write something.  The beggning doesn't seem to be interesting but I humbly think, all of you will enjoy reading. Let's start.

Firstly, I'd like to tell you the story but don't skip it. It has connection with the rest.

Long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away a girl called Ala fell in love with beach volleyball. Just as it started it seemed to be a long relatioship. She had been following every point, set, game of every team till she met two amazing players.'They are phenomenal' she thought that's why the girl started to call them 'American Tsunami''. Ala decided to give them her heart while supporting and somehow to devolve them all power and stength she had, no matter what cause that young lady knew that they would be the champions one day... 

You can always find the Latvians in your life

Everybody has favorite team. So have I. Everybody would cheer for them as loud as he can. So would I. But would everobody cheer in a name of betrayal a country? No? I would. But only few people respected that. For me it doesn't matter where you're coming from, where do you live etc. Sport has its own rights and you can be a supporter of whoever you want! I'm that kind of person who (sorry for writing it in words like that) shits on that what people say and think. I'm for my team and even if guys don't know that I exist, I treat their games so personal. Their loss is my loss, their win is my win. Even callin me 'stupid blondie' or tellin me 'Go to your fucking America' during the game, won't change my feelings to the duo I'm supporter of. Contrariwise, I'll be even louder and more annoyin after words like that. Why? Cause I'm stubborn and just want to show that love to the team is more important than caring about what other think! Watching Casey and Jake fighting is my the most favorite thing on this planet, watching them winning makes me grinning so hard for many, many days. I'd do almost everything to see them on the court, with victory but  I'd never turn down my voice because somebody doesn't like it. However I  met a great group of people from Latvia. It was so amazing to support with them. Everything started when American Tsunami, Casey (or Clemens as it is said on FIVB webstie) Patterson & Jake Gibb played against Samoilvos and Smedins. We were in 3 cheering for USA, they in about 40 but mutual respect connected us somehow. My guys lost in that battle but Latvia's people were so kind that every time we saw each other, we just scream 'Latvia USA Latvia USA' What's more, they helped us to cheer guys in other matches. They were not mad that I'm on American side, they were glad that I can be with my team in a bad and a good moments. I remember, my eyes were watering after the game I've mentioned above. We lost but Latvians gave an applause and chanted our songs for Casey and Jake. As you see, sometimes we meet people who want to stab in our backs but as you see, there is a chance of meeting 'Latvians' in your life.

Somebody is so rude.

I've actually mentioned that topic. While being in Stare Jablonki I met many people who were so kind and nice to me, they tried to understand my way of thinking and supporting team USA, they wanted to take a photo with me cause 'omg you're so awesome! They must be proud to have you'. That was pretty shocking but, no doubt, I felt their buy-in! So why the hell topic of that part sounds like that? Well, people are rude too! Me and my friend heard many times names, stupid questions. They offended our feelings, abused us. I'd try to get it but saying me to 'shut up' even if they do nothing to support their team is so inappropriate. I'd never say a bad word about somebody who's supporting other team, not mine. To be honest, a little Estonian boy was making me sick I saw myself in his behavior. I saw me many years ago and.. right now. I saw me who'sgetting excited point by point and... I liked it! I knew he's annoying as me but I'd never kick his ass cause I'm aware of his feelings and I know why he does it. He is just a supporter.

'What's going on with your America girl?'

Oh God, I heard it so maaaaaany times.  'Don't demand so much, their time will come.' I answered. The season hasn't been easy but faith, hope and hard work paid offso damn well! I've been into volleyball for a very long time and it thaught me patience and foreknowing that's why at Stare Jablonki Grand Slam I had one motto which had had to show and prove that with 'my' guys everything is possible. My guys I meant Casey Patterson and Jake Gibb. That motto goes like #FromQualiToPodium. I don'twant to discribe every game of them.The point here is their prowess and will to fight. Not every game ended with a victory but the losses built them and me also. We all wanted to do and give our best. We all wanted to improve, show our better side next time. Casey and Jake on the sand, me - on the stadium. It seems we did it!  We started with quali and ended with bronze medal. When I had met them on Tuesday and my first words sounded 'will be with you till Sunday, till the big final'. Well, bronze medal game was our big final, wasn't it?

I love beach volleyball. This sport thaught me so many things and made me the person who I am right now that's why I go to every Grand Slam tournament which is here. (Well, we had only the one in Stare Jablonki. HAD!) I waited for it for the whole year and it's not cause of partying in the evening, drinking beer or whatever, smoking shisha... It's all about the USA team, about waking up so early to go to the court number 6 and cheer for Ryan Doherty and Nick Lucena playing against the team from Quatar, about showing support for Phil and Rosie, about losing voice cause you shouted "GET THEM JAKE! COME ON CASEY' so loud that Mr. Patterson and Mr. Gibb heared you on the court number 1 while playing against Poland... 

Not sure if saying thank you would be enough.

I think that the words 'thank you' are not enought to explain and say how grateful I'm to have/had you here.  I'd like to thank to Amor who was such a phenomenal person! Thanks to Summer and Emily who welcomed me as a good, old friend! I'm still in shock a bit. Casey and Jake deserve their own part here. Well, dear guys thank you so much for every second you spent on the court.Thank you for being such a great players and...men! Cheering for you is such an honor, it's just the best thing ever! Thank you for being so pleasant and amiable all the time. Dear all team Patterson/Gibb (yeap, I'm talkin about you Rich, Tylor and Troy too) you were the reason of everything I've done in Stare Jablonki. You were the reason of losing voice, drinking in a name of celebration the victory, betrayal Poland, having the best time this summer! Thank you for your time, all kind words you told me, every little smile me, hug and kiss you gave me (or I gave you, it doesn't matter). As I told you, even if I'll have to sell my kidney, next World Tour belongs to us. #CaseyJacobaeaeao must be heared in the world!

In the end. I would like to thank to Spike Town USA for every tweet and at small article about guys. Well, it is s great place to say thank you to Kyra Brown for every word she sent to me. When I just think about that what you and Jake Gibb wrote about me I can't stop blushing and smiling. It is really an honor to read things like that about myself. You told me to keep it going, you helped me to understand somehow that I am no anonymous any more. I didn't have that awareness but you pushed me to getting it. Thank you! 

I love gifs so I prepared a few which show reactions in Stare Jablonki. Enjoy.

1. When somebody called me 'stupid blond American'

2.  When we wanted to give a kiss to coach Tyler on Saturday

3. When Jake blocked somebody

4. After every point we scored

5. When somebody told me we would not win it

6. Cause style won't do it itself

7. Me after lost in semis

8. While singing Caaseyy Jaaacoob aeaeaaoo

9. When we met Spanish duo in sauna before the game

10. When we  had lost the first set but we rocked second and third 

 11. When we advanced to semis

12. After qualifying to main draw

13. Before the game with Latvia

14. After winning bronze medal game

15. Partying on Saturday

 Before you leave my blog, watch the space dance here!

Thanks to Kasia Perkowska and Tomek Grabowski for pics :)

a bad mentality

Honestly, I have no idea how should I start it cause I don't want to give somebody poke in the eye but I've been thinking about it for a really long time cause it hurts me, not even a bit! I don't want to ask : what is wrong with you people of the United States or why the hell you act like that but in some way it could be a good thought.

What am I driving at? Well, as always, it's about volleyball, but before I'll explain it, please answer a few questions :

Are you a volleyball fan? Where do you live? Are you a supporter? Do you have a favorite team? Do you watch its games? Mhm, I guess that we can move now...

As you've noticed or you know, I'm a huge fan of volleyball and a supporter of #teamUSA. It's not my national team but I feel like I belong to it somehow, that's why no matter who they play against or how important the game is. When a timing sucks I always burn a candle at both ends just to support the team and see guys in the action cause every win is my win and every loss is mine too. I'm not an American but that boys let me feel the pride. What's more? I support that team with your flag even if there's a game in Poland with... Poland. 

You see, I try do my best for a foreign but close for me team but tell me what you, as a kid of America, do for them?! Sometimes I feel like you do nothing just don't care. They train, fight, play for you, not only for themselves. They do it cause they are in love with volleyball but they also do it to make you proud.  I'm not saying that US indoor team doesn't have its supporters but an amount of that is too small!!! While watching games I just feel like I'm watching a match between high school teams or I really don't know. I'm aware, I'm used to Polish fans and supporters and that the volleyball in Poland is so popular, people are able to do almost everything to be a part of that amazing show in the hall, they pay every price to support their team! 

To make you my dear American reader a bit jealous, I'll say that an opening game of World Champs between Poland and Serbia will be watched by almost 60 000 people live on  the National Stadium in Warsaw! You have to admit, it's is impressive, isn't it? To not making it so beautiful - you have to know, volleyball isn't a national sport in Poland as it isn't in USA neither, so why the hell a difference like this exists?! I really don't know but I want to get it! 

American team is  strong, technically perfect, succeeds... I'd say it's even better than Polish or any European but you still don't love it as you love Boston Red Sox or Los Angeles Lakers. I've been "in" that sport for over than 10 years and I was a witness of amazing wins of the USA team, I saw them fighting in Beijing, then with gold Olympic medals of their necks , saw every World League game, followed every, even unimportant, tournament, saw their bad days that's why I want you to believe in my words. They are a group of great guys with some goals to achieve, they really deserve you to be with them no matter what, no matter when. You haven't been appreciating everything they've done since the very beginning for you as a member of that society. 

I know that baseball, beach volleyball and...college volleyball are things you like the most but your national team is... exactly - your national team! You can be a bit mad at me for everything I've written, but don't you think I'm right? 

And now I want to thank some of you a bit. I'm glad to see every person in the hall during the games in the United States, I'm happy to see some of you supporting them all the time, to read cheering up tweets or post on Facebook. I do care about that team and I wish there were more people like you guys. 

PS: I don't know if it's true, but I've heard that there will be no broadcast of World Champs in the USA, well... it still hurts a bit, but I can't change it. I believe that some of you will follow results in the Internet :)

 I'll be supporting US in person, in the hall so asap I add some information about it so we stay in touch during that tournament.

PS2: I want to see this : 

instead of that : 

the small-big heroes!

Well, I had had to write about beach volleyball World Tour which has started in China this week but I changed my plan. There's a conversation which had showed up in the Internet and after reading that I just needed to share my thoughts with you guys. The truth is that for a long time I've been waiting to write it but the "talk" I mentioned a line above made me to do it today. I have difficulties with writing cause it's 2 am and I've got tears in my eyes but I'll try to do my best to write it properly.

Being an athlete is a great thing! You succeed, win medals, are a champion, are loved by millions. The athletes aren't protected as many of society use to think, they are not machines, they are a part of us. They suffer, have problems but they try to defeat it. They have their families support and love, they also support and love their families. Because there's nothing more beautiful than love between people.

Love is believed to be the strongest thing in the entire world. The best example of that kind of emotions is Matt Anderson. It took a long while to introduce him to you in a "puzzle way" but it was needed.

Matt's nephew, Tristin, suffers from autism. I don't want to write what's that affliction about, there's so much information in the "Polish" Internet and I think that if you want to broaden your knowledge about that just google it or tweet me and I'll give you needed links. Mhm... I always want a lot but now I just want to you to get interested in it thanks to Matt and, maybe one day, try to help people in need.

I spent a little time with kids like Tristin and I know they need our acceptation at all, our love, warmth and just our being. Sometimes it was so hard because they can't read emotions on our faces and you have to be so careful. In the beginning I didn't know how to react and treat the kids, it was so easy to hurt some of them or alienate. I know I'm a woman I take things so emotional but his feelings, love to his nephew make me speechless. Every story told by this man about that little boy is really touching. I'm full of respect and awe for Matt and so moved, always, when I see a mention about this 8 year-old young gentlemen on Twitter or wherever. Love and tenderness he speaks about Tristin with, are things which are rising my spirits because I know that somewhere are  people who care about it!  

I'd like to post here "my" three excerpts of that interview.

" Q: What have you learned from Tristin and his condition?

It’s the little things. To be able to find joy in some things as simple as you know he loves Angry Birds and everything that goes with it. Just to see how happy he gets when he gets a new toy or when he watches videos on Youtube on how people play the game. It’s really cool. It’s fascinating! His attention to it is incredible.

Q: When he gets older and he starts to experience the outside world, what would you tell him?

Just be patient with yourself and when you’re with other people. The fact that everybody is different and everybody lives their lives for different reasons. Try not to act irrationally. Try not to jump the gun in a lot of your decisions. 

Q: Tell us about your tattoo for Tristin…

I love my nephew. Anything I can do to put and show support out there for him and for children like him. The “puzzle piece” is the universal symbol for autism awareness. The fact it’s on my (right) wrist, all the pictures and the TV exposure I get during matches, people see it. I get ask a lot about it and the fact that I can say that it’s my way of supporting my nephew and other autistic kids is pretty cool for me. "

I don't have children with autism in my family but I have two cousins with Down syndrome. Long time ago I didn't know how to react, live, speak when they were near to me, I was so afraid but thanks to Matthew I learnt how to live and function among kids with problems. For me, it's a great thing to spend some time with them cause daily problems aren't real problems, you get to know how to be happy with the most simple things like riding a bike or just watching your favorite cartoon. You know that every day is a great day. 

Maybe one day Matt you'll read it that's why I want to thank you for being such a great person. You and your Tristin's story changes my life every time I see it. You make me to be a better human being. I know you've heard or read it many times but if I said you're a hero I wouldn't lie. You caused all volleyball society to be more interested in autism and I know there're fans' sites which support a thing you started to do I worked with a boy suffering from autism, we needed to get close and understand each other and when I didn't know what to do and my faith was gone you and Tristin were in my head and it made me to try once again to get to my learner. The beginnings were incredibly though for me, for us but thanks to you, somehow, he says "hi" to me every time I see him, we're friends. . I don't really have an idea what to write except a word : thank you.

And you Tristin. I don't know you in person but I hope that day will come one day. You know I'm a fan o Angry Birds, especially the Star Wars edition so we could play together but I'm afraid you're way better than me! Tristin, I've got a cousin almost at your age and he's so into Angry Birds too! His room looks like a game, seriously I think you're gonna like him! My little gentleman, I want you to know that I support you with my heart and I know you're so special. You've got an incredible uncle, family.  And now my and my blog's readers cause getting know about you is such rising thing for me, I do hope to meet you one day and play Angry Birds with you, I know we could be a great friends, I can' wait that day to come :)

I'd be so grateful if you check : www.autismspeaks.org or go to the Twitter @autismspeaks

il vero uomo italiano!

I didn't post here, because I was waiting for some kind of boom so...
When I started to learn, watch volleyball he was a star! I was growing up with an awareness that the he is one of the best players on this planet. I've been admiring him for ages, since the beginning of my adventure with that discipline. For me as a supporter and volleyball maniac a conversation with my "guest" was such a big honor. Even in some way my little dream came true. 

As I said, he is a star. Of course, when I told that to him, he answered  ' I'm just a player, not a star...' but we all know how important is his being in volleyball world. 
That man achieved many things during his career and I know he hasn't told us his last word. He is a champion of the Europe, vice Olympic Champion etc... 

Ladies and gentlemen - Alberto Cisolla!

Alicja Łokuciejewska : Don’t you think that, in a way, you’ve dissapeared in a volleyball world? For example in Poland, your transfer  to Bahrain made some kind of silence around you…

Alberto Cisolla : Just the opposite!

A.Ł: Let's stay in n a topic of Bahrain. What was the main reason that you decided to sign (short but…) contract with Al-Muharraq? 

A.C: I  had 2 years contract with Rome then the players' market got closed. In that moment  the team was completed and I had two chances: stop for some months and wait for a team (like Bonifante who came to Poland in December) or start the
pre-season with Latina.So I decided to start with Latina to find my best condition. It's a very good team. I received some offers but Andreoli asked me to stay till the end of CEV Cup.
It was very important tournament and after the final they allowed me to go. I like to play and don't be a player who starts the match from the bench.  In February all the Italian, 

European teams were completed. I chose Bahrain to get new, different experience.

A.Ł: To be honest, before the interview, I was looking for some information about the league there and… it was so hard to find anything! Would you mind telling something about it. I was so surprised when I heard about your decision and I’m curious your opinion. 

A.C: Middle East championship has all the things to became one of the best leagues in the world. They have money, beautiful and modern city with great dome and an important sport culture. The only problem, I think,  is that they don't want to give more to enter in the bigger world of volleyball. They like to stay in the Middle-East to play and enjoy their "game". 

That's the reason why you didn't find news from that world :)

photo: ilmessaggero.it

A.Ł: Finally, you’ve decided to come back to your home league. Now you’re playing in Callipo Valentina. The “Middle East” took its toll or you missed your fatherland as a place to play?

A.C.: A big difference is that Middle East is good for a few period like playoffs or a Cup but not for a complete season. I missed the professional way to work that we have in Italy, Europe and that is the only way to work that the player like me knows. So i decided to come back...

A.Ł.: As we know, you had been a very important part of Sisley Treviso for 13 years and then, you were changing the clubs almost season by season. I’m just wondering and I could be wrong of course, but did you want to make these  up these 13 years in one club? I mean, did you need some kind of immediate changes in your career?

 A.C.: For most of my career I played in Treviso because in my home town  I have one of the best teams in the world . I had no reason to change it. I was near my family, we were winning a lot and they were giving me the right money, what's more? :) But after over 20 years Benetton, our chief decided to end it. I just made a decision to play season by season with another club. It was right choice for me. And also you're right! After two decades in  the same place, I needed to get know and try the difference of other teams, cities. 

photo: legavolley.it

A.Ł What needs to happen to see you, the real star of volleyball, playing in… Polish league? Your eventual transfer to some club in Poland would be such a great and undeniable hit I think.  People just love you here.

 A.C. If I get a request,offer from a Polish team - why not?  I follow the Polish league . I think that is one of the best!  Very good level, a lot of people in the halls, in front of TVs. If I had a chance for sure I'd accept it!

A.Ł. During your career in the national team, you achieved a lot. I picked three things and I’d like you to tell, which of them was and probably still is the most memorable moment of your past. 1. Winning the European Championship in 2005  2. Being chosen the best player of that tournament or 3. Moment, when the silver medal of the Olympics hung on your neck?  (I’m aware that’s pretty frequent and nonsense question but I just want to know!

 A.C.:  I was very lucky in my career. I experienced a lot of exciting and emotional moments. Every final, for different reason, has a special place in my mind. So sorry, I don't know which is the best.

photo: italnews.info

 A.Ł.:  In 2009, you made a decision that your “adventure” with national team is over. Be  honest. Were some moments, you did regret your choice?

 A.C.:  National team is the best thing for all the athletes... now I miss it, but in 2008 I became a father and after 10 years in the team I decided to dedicate more time for my family and, to be honest, now there are younger and stronger players than me to wear that shirt :)

 A.Ł.: You’re one of the best players on the Globe but can you see somebody, who would be able to take your place in the team of Italy? I hope, you won’t be offended by this term, but as a volleyball veteran, can you mention the young-generation player, who could join you and for instant Nikola Grbić in a group of  those the best?

A.C.:  Now in Italian national team there are a lot of good players :  Zaytsev, Parodi, Kovar, Vettori or Baranovic. I like them and I think they have a huge chance to be a champions.

A.Ł.  I remember you playing in Mysłowice in 2010 I think, you partnered to Gianluca Casadei so.. . will it be possible to see you on a  sand again? Is it happen to you to follow some tournaments? 

A.C.: In the beginning, I had started with the sand but in Italy, 20 years ago, it was impossible to play during winter so I made a step into  indoor and... you know the story. In 2009 I had a chance to play for the beach volleyball national team. It was amazing! Well, indoor volleyball is also my job and I can't change it. Well,  I'd like to play on sand again in the future. I'll let you know!








A.Ł.: If you let me, I’d like to leave volleyball for a moment. I think this question should be asked to your friends, family, but I wonder, what is your own answer, so how is Alberto Cisolla privately?

A.C.: A very normal man. I hope a good father, good husband. I'd love to see my daughter become bigger and have fun with my family and friends, but it's difficult because of volleyball I have very little time.

A.Ł.:  Did the sport, volleyball have an influence on you as a human being? What have you learned for all these years?

A.C.: Volleyball- that sport has thought me a lot of things like education, respect for the rules, respect for people and being a teammate. It gave me a lot of friends. Responsibility made me a man early.

A.Ł.:  Would you define yourself as  a man’s man, hard man or rather sentimentalist?

A.C.: Each. When needed - hard man but also sentimentalist. Just like on  the court.

A.Ł.: In the hall, you seem to  be confident and determined, but if you’re coming home, leave a training bag, wear  your slippers and spend time with family, do you have the same features?

A.C.: I think I approach my life in the same ways.

A.Ł.: Just wondering. Do you help your wife at home? It’s said , Italian love to cook…

A.C.: I love to cook and I do it but the rest is the "court" of my wife. 

A.Ł.:  By the way, I  don’t want to be unkind and expostulate your age but do you have “the plan B”? What will you do after ending  your career?

A.C.:  I have lots of ideas. Taking over the restaurant of my wife's parents in Garda Lake, becoming an agent, a coach, maybe I'll open a sport center in my  town. Like you see lots of plans but it's too early to decide. I feel good with my body. I still spike at 350 cm and I'd like to play for 4 years more :)

A.Ł.: In the end… Did you have a call from “Ballando con le stelle”? I saw Gigi Mastrangelo in the last edition and in the Polish one Piotr Gruszka tries to do his best so… when we’re going to see you there?

A.C.:  In my opinion,  having a volleyball player in that kind of shows it's good for our world, so why not? But I'm not a good dancer!

A.Ł.: So... as you know, I’ve got a blog so are you going to read it? ; )

A.C.: Of course! 

A.Ł.: The last question. If you found a golden fish or Alladin lamp, your three wishes would be…

A.C.:  health, especially for my daughter. This is the most important thing! A chance of playing again some final match and playing in Polish League. 

Thank you Alberto so much! I know, I'll repeat myself but I do appreciate your time you gave me. It really was an honor to talk with you!  And of  I wish your little dreams come true :)

And now I'd like to say thank you for Elena Zanutto for photos, which she shared with me for this blog

love for beach volleyball - Stare Jabłonki

To continue the topic of Stare Jabłonki I 'd like to show you the astounding magic of that place. I want you to fall in love with beach volleyball and that little, Polish village. I want you to help me to persuade people in Polish Volleyball Association / Federation (who cares?!) that beach volley (World Tour, AVP and blabla) is so important for the society here, for the fans. I want you to tell them that beach volleyball is as much popular as indoor and probably in some way more exciting. Actually I realized I want you to do many things but it's worth it! I'd write a book titled "Stare Jabłonki - the center of beach volley awesomeness" but I tried to collect everything in a list. Let's start it! Oh... I'll be posting here the photos so hope you won't get bored so fast.

The flavor of beer, cerveza, piwo and kiełbasa or "keilbasha"
One small village, courts, a few games during the day, crowded area, sun burning your skin and... a beer.
Cold beer. As a fan of beach volleyball I have to admit, there's nothing better in the whole wild world than a show of great players on the sand, sun above your head and sweet, cold beer in your hand. It doesn't matter if there is 35*C or the storm is coming - everything stays the same and you're in heaven!
What about kiełbasa? Well, that's a good question. I have no idea why the players love it, but as a Polish I appreciate their feeling to my national "dish". I even heard, some of them wait for "keilbasha" in Stare Jabłonki for the whole year! That's impressive guys but I'm so glad to know it!

I know, you're jealous - my cup is pretty cool!

Kids Camp! The School of volleyball ninja and Jedi! 
If I were a kid I'd love to be a part of that so,so much! I'd like to be thought by the best players on this planet and thanks to the organizers, those children had a chance to be their students. That's was so sweet and really touching! The kids were so preoccupied with the athletes! To make it more awesome I'll say that the players were so involved and open too. I can't tell you right now, who exactly was the teacher there, I was staring at Michał Kądzioła, Todd Rogers and Sebastian Świderski and their little players. Mhm...who knows, maybe one day we'll hear about one of them during the Olympics? Everything is possible and.. it started in Stare Jabłonki my dears. No words need, look at the photos of Todd and his volleyball ninja -Jedi army.

hands up baby hands up

Todd approves!

When the crowd goes wild

The atmosphere is indescribable No matter if you're 5, 15 or 55. If you're there, you're just having fun! You're having the best time of your summer, the year or maybe life! Even if  there's an enormous possibility of losing your voice - don't be worried because the tournament and players are worth it! I should add that thanks to the DJ and maybe music your dance skills improve incredibly fast! This is the place and the time, when you're able to leave the past and worries behind your back and just relax, chill & feel it. Oh... "feel it", it sounds like a song from last tournament in Poland so don't thanks, just watch it: 

I've already told you about some dance moves, unfortunately Casey Patterson wasn't the dance star there (that's why I hope he's going to be dance master in this season), but the crowd was carried along by Michał Kądzioła and Jakub Szałankiewicz who just rocked that!

When I talked to the journalists from Latvia or the United States they admitted that the people in Stare Jabłonki are amazing. They were shocked that to the small village, year by year, come beach volleyball fans from many countries. Most of the tournaments takes place in the big cities like Rome or Berlin where you can go sightseeing. Anyway, maybe there's no Colosseum or Branderburg Gate, but we've got lakes, forests and second-best of universe.. Just look at crowd dancing "spacedance". It's better than Moscow, isn't it?

9 am and the main stadium begins to be filled with the crowd

Those guys went so so wild!

Golden, Olympic duo plays just for me.
Everybody has some idol, right? Stare Jabłonki is a perfect place to meet him/her or them. I'm not going to write on behalf of somebody, because I don't know if our opinion are coinciding and oh... most of the time I'm not in the majority but I think, after reading my little story you'll agree with me. Well, I have my idols too. It's nothing to hide, my heart belongs to USA (beach) volleyball team. Thanks to the event I'm still talking about, I had a chance to meet my beloved group. Sometimes the main stadium is full because Kądzioła, Prudel or any Polish team plays there so everybody from Poland goes to see them. That's my moment of happiness. I will be repeating it all the time but as a huge fan of  US I go to the court number 4 and I  have my own, almost "private" match. "Private" because even if there's 100 people, nobody gets as excited as I do! Sometimes involvement in support is so big that nothing else matters. I used "Golden, Olympic duo plays just for me " as a title here cause it's so true! I will never forget the Olympics 2008 in Beijing when Todd Rogers and Phil Dalhausser played in the big final! I had wanted to meet the so, so badly... and I did it! When I was watching their battle for the gold, they were unreachable till the day I came to Stare Jabłonki. That was pretty... wow, I can't find a appropriate word! In a nutshel - I was supporting them when only about 70 people surrounded me. I felt like watching Olympic final at home! In 2008 Todd and Phil were unavailable, some time later they were almost just for me!

Actually, that was the match of Phil and Sean, but still "private"

Holy moly! Where to go?! I want to see every show!

One of the most funny thing is the fact that matches are at the same time. What if on the court number one plays Emanuel Rego and Alison, the second is taken by Ricardo and his partner, third by Todd Rogers and Ryan Doherty and fourth... by Sean Rosental and Phil Dalhausser who play against Casey Patterson and Jake Gibb?! You can't even play "rock, paper, scissors" because anyway your hart will be hurt in some way... While writing that part of post, my friend reminded me my reaction : "What the he..?! But what?! So.. damn seriously?! SERIOUSLY? Please say, you're jokin' " She didn't. I still haven't figured out how to "play" it good, but I like that way of getting adrenaline. To be honest, it's better when you have your friends with you and every action is texted to them sitting on the other side of the village. Anyway, if something better came up to your mind, please let me know!

They're an amazing players, the beasts on the sand but their hearts are huge and gold! 
My decade with volleyball showed me many things, good and bad. Some indoor volleyball players were unkind to the fans, even those who are 6 or 7, some of them treated themselves as a "star" but they were not super-cool as they thought. Of course not everybody acts like that, for example Ivan Miljković or Alberto Cisolla, but I've never seen situation that the beach player refuses a photo or an autograph. What's more, my friends told me about Emanuel Rego's gesture. He is a star. He is an amazing player but he has got a good heart. According to the Kasia and Karola's story, some time ago girls from charity foundation asked him for a help with rising money which had to be donated to children's hospital. He agreed and some medical facilities were bought to save kids' life. In my opinion, beach volleyball players are a special group of society. I don't know how they do it, but they are - as Obi Wan Kenobi used to say - "the chosen one". The level of calm and patience is so high. They always have time for the supporter, they're available and they're just for people like me or you, for us. They always find a minute for a small conversation. It happens that maybe some players remember you from the previous tournaments and then meeting looks like : "Oh hey girl! What's up?! It's been a year, how are you?". I need to use my favorite sentence which goes like "as a fan of team USA..." I'm so happy to be who I am so have a moment for a small reflection. I hope that Casey or Jake or Ryan or Todd or Phil or Sean reads it that's why I'd like to thank you for everything. I mean, If I were you in Jabłonki, I would be tired of me screaming "USA" all the time or asking you for a photo. Actually, I hope that now you know how big part of my "beach volleyball life" you are! Thank you. Maybe I'll repeat myself, but that's a wonderful thing when an athlete is doing his / her job on a high level and stays a real human being. In beach volleyball, there's no time for being a celebrity as it's starting to be popular among other sports. Beach volleyball is full of admirable athletes who don't change even having the gold hanging on their necks. I had an opportunity to meet them in Stare Jabłonki and I'm sure my words. They're like a rock stars but in "sand version" They're bringing the balance to the force, not leaving it in the darkness.

 with my best friend and awesome team USA

 woops, thjat's USA again with my second best friend and Ryan &Todd

 Emanuel "Emil" Rego and my lovely friends whom Emanuel helped with the charity action 

no words needed, thank you for being awesome USA

10 years together hm? Ricardo and my dear girls

 so Emil wasn't happy when he realized I'm with USA but...

 Ryan's reaction was much better

And here, I'd like to say that was the best 4th July in my life! Or maybe I just been given best gift ever.

T-shirt is hanging on the wall next to Ivan's one :) 

Dear reader, if you're still with me, I'm so glad to know that! Hope, you've fallen in love with beach volleyball.
Dear Donald Trump or Bill Gates, if YOU're riding my blog, please, please text me! Don't be impassive and give some useless millions for the organizers of the tournament in Stare Jabłonki. Be more awesome than you're now and make me happy, make me smile and let me have the best time of my life with my amazing friends and those incredible athletes I was writing about. I count on you!
Dear somebody from the Polish Volleyball Association / Federation please, just read my article once again, then once again and realize that beach volleyball is phenomenal! That beach volleyball players are out of this planet! That we need that tournament in Stare Jabłonki. We, fans deserve it.

Houston we have a problem with World Tour in Stare Jabłonki!

Small peaceful, calm village, surrounded by the forests and lakes Stare Jabłonki without Grand Slam? Yes, it's possible. Why? Well, I've got my own theory. Do you want to hear it? No problem, here you are...

If you're here, you're probably a fan of volleyball and I dare to suppose you know what the beach volleyball is, that's why if you're from Poland you know how teed off I was on Monday! Even if you're not (thanks to all Americans and people from any other country who read it), to help you understand my situation, try imagine that the Christmas is canceled. No food, no gifts, no celebrating... do you feel it now? Somebody probably wants me and beach volleyball fanatics / fans deprive our beach holiday. 

It's well known that year by year we can hear : "the tournament in Stare Jabłonki is at risk" but each time everything is great in the end. Unfortunately not now. Although the World Championships were such an amazing event and everybody was satisfied the problem hasn't been solved. It's all about the money. 

In my opinion, beach volleyball is discriminated in Poland. Priority, the main goal for Polish Volleyball Association. is to organize World Championship. What goes with that - necessity of possessing money. I can't say that WC isn't important, cool, because for example it's been a long time I saw Matt Anderson, Marko Podrascanin or Bruno Rezende playing "live" but it doesn't change the fact, I still want to be part of Grand Slam in Stare Jabłonki!

I do understand, WC is a big thing, Poland hasn't been a host of an event like this one but why the hell beach volleyball fans have to be aggrieved?! You just can't let go something wonderful like GS (it has been in Stare Jabłonki for 10 years - it's a tradition) because you think beach volley isn't as popular as indoor and the WC is a better idea to promote the country that's why you won't give money for our "sand monsters". The tradition just has to disappear?! I'm aware that WC needs a huge amount of money but if I had known it causes problems for beach, I wouldn't have wanted to have it here in Poland! I didn't ask for that so why I have to be punished? Me and many, many people? This will be stupid instant but canceling Grand Slam is like canceling the gig of Backstreet Boys, because Metallica (WC) is coming to the city. At first glance it looks very wisely. The budget from the first concert will be taken by the organizers to the show number two, to make it more spectacular but... Has the person responsible for that considered that the BSB still has million of fans? Maybe they were much more popular in '90s but people love, need and covet them so much! Metallica is a great band, adored by the crowd but it doesn't mean that fans of BSB don't exist! If you want to make the city cool, popular and wow do your best, do everything what's possible and make two concerts! Believe me. 

I'm not the only person who tried to suit the holiday to the time in Stare Jabłonki and now what? I can't imagine my summer without the Grand Slam. I just can not! I can't stand the thought that I could be able not to see Casey 'Ninja' Patterson and Jake "Spiker" Gibb bringing the boom on the sand, Emanuel i Pedro crushing their rivals... I can't imagine the fact I won't be wandering with American flag on my back, screaming "come on USA" "Ryan move your ass and win it babe" "Casey just kill it man, just kill it" etc. I can't imagine not learning new dances which are one of the most hilarious and best at once things there. I can't imagine, I won't be dancing to the country music. And finally I CAN'T IMAGINE I WON'T BE WATCHING THE BEST PLAYERS ON THE PLANET IN THE ACTION! I just can't imagine these things.

My heart could be broken tomorrow or next week, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed, everything will be ok.

PS : If Donald Trump or other moneybag is reading it, please text me and I'll tell you what to do with your useless millions, ok? 

In the end, I'd like to share with you some photos from Stare Jabłonki, hope you'll fall in love too :)

Hey you, do you still think, beach volleyball isn't popular in Poland? Well...

maybe Todd "The Professor" Rogers at kids camp will convince some not really reasonable people
that GS is needed!

Maybe Ryan Doherty will do it also... 

or me with my friend? We rocked international media and tried to persuade people in front of their TV sets
that Stare Jabłonki is a center of beach volleyball

still not sure? Hope Jake Gibb will help you to make a GOOD decision