Tears after the phone from Nikola Grbcia, that’s not all. This volleyball player never gives up

Mateusz Czunkiewicz went a long way to find himself among the best volleyballers in Poland, with the appointment to the senior national team in his hand. “Chat” in the minds of PlusLiga fans can be scrolling for the first time, like a debutant-designer, entering, among others for service – for the middle Bartosz Gawryszewski. Plus, of course, help on the defensive. This was the case in Gdańsk, but looking at the calendar, the decade has passed since then. Now he no longer has to play in a different position than his natural position. This is a full -fledged, representative libero.

The extraordinary story of Mateusz Czunkiewicz. Tears of emotion and fight for your own

At the end of March this year, Czunkiewicz gave a moving interview with TVP Sport. In an interview with Sarah, Kalisz confessed that he cried when Nikola Grbić called him. Serb invited to the group of Polish representatives, placing “whip” in a wide team of staff for the 2025 season.

We asked about these words from the interview, which were reflected in a really wide echo. Let’s add, the reactions were as positive as possible.

– Indeed, it echoed considerable, but on my part it was simply very honest. I didn’t hide anything, I said as it was. I also apologized to the coach, I said that next time I would remember everything he would say (laughs). It was a influx of great emotions and that’s probably all – admitted Czunkiewicz with a smile.

Libero spent the last season in the colors of Ślepska Malow Suwałki. The team from the Suwałki region was heavily underestimated before the start of the season, and when it came to the league fight, it eventually stood on a solid – as for the level of competition – tenth place in PlusLiga. Seven points were missing to the play-off place. Ślepsk presented himself very decently, and Czunkiewicz was one of the most important characters in the puzzle of coach Dominik Kwapisiewicz.

And what did he expect after calling from the coach?

– In fact, I didn’t know what to expect. I did not recognize the coach before, I did not know what he was in training. I only heard that in addition to being a great professional, he is a good speaker. I noticed it from the first training, the first meeting. I thought it would be more organizational. Coach Grbić, however, said so many cool words, the accused statements. And when it ended after 10pm, if he said that we are going to training now, I was ready immediately. I could apply the knee pads, our coach worked so motivational. I did not expect this at all – he admitted in an interview with Wprost.

It can also be seen that in the national team he is primarily put on details. This is the highest level in the country, and coach Grbić got used to the fans that he brought a medal together with the team from every championship. It was also different in the context of the Olympic Games. The Poles broke the curse lasting over two decades (!), Ultimately reaching the finals. She ended up with a silver medal after defeat with the French.

– I knew that there would be a pursuit of perfection here, in everyone, let’s call it a “simplest” element – and it really is here too. I am happy because every reflection at this training is important. It cannot be made in a half whistle, it is known, you do not always succeed perfectly, but you have to try hard. This is what the trainer expects – notes Czunkiewicz.

Is the history of Libero Ślepska Malow Suwałki, who after his debut in PlusLiga, had to later look for regular playing, among others In the back room, in the first league edition, to finally come back and become a representative of Poland – is this good material for others?

There is nothing to hide, it sounds like a movie story. The 28 -year -old volleyball player knows well that such a belief appears in the media space, just about the extraordinary history of Czunkiewicz, who wiped out trails for those who work hard for their great chance.

– But I don’t feel like this. I know that such a belief is scrolling, but I am above all I am glad that a young boy – not so much that he will take an example of me – but he will believe what he does, he worked hard to make his dreams come true. My path in my life is never to give up. I hope that for some it will also be a life motto (…) It would be nice to hear one day that a young boy heard about my way to find himself in the Polish national team. And I was a motivator for him. But I do not sense any great pressure, I do not feel an example for young volleyballers – concluded Libero.

Competition in this position will certainly be interesting. Paweł Zatorski played at the IO 2024, but now “Zator” is not in the national team and it looks like it’s time for new names. Jakub Popiwczak is at the head of the list. “Piwko” at the finish of the PlusLiga season, however, suffered an injury. Who will still count in the game for a place on the pitch?

One thing is certain. Czunkiewicz with his approach to work, he should certainly give arguments to the Poles selector to try him in a representative battle.