Finally kissing volleyballs again!

That the pandemic has shaken up the sports world is nothing new. Positive test results, hygiene regulations and matches canceled at short notice turned the schedule and the lives of the athletes upside down. Matheus Krauchuk Esquivel Rodrigues faced a particular challenge: he was suddenly no longer allowed to kiss the volleyball, which he normally touched with his lips before each serve.

“The ball is my work tool and has given me and my family a better life,” he says. A little kiss in between is an expression of his gratitude. “I love this sport. At this moment, it’s just the ball and me.” Last season, Krauchuk had to refrain from his little ritual due to the pandemic, so he’s looking forward to kissing a ball again soon, a blue and yellow striped one with the inscription “German Volleyball Association”.

The Brazilian has signed a one-year deal with BR Volleys and is expected to help fill the void left by diagonal attacker Benjamin Patch. The 24-year-old has kissed volleyball in numerous countries, most recently in Turkey, where he played for Bursa Buyuksehir Belediyesi. “I’m so happy to be coming to Berlin,” he says enthusiastically. “It was a very emotional moment when my family and I made this decision.” His wife Amanda will accompany him to Germany. She also used to play volleyball and then worked as a scout in the Brazilian professional league. “We are very Christian. My wife has supported me at every game since we got married and prays for me.”

It’s Krauchuk’s first time in Germany, he doesn’t know his teammates yet, but he follows what they do during the summer. Despite the summer break, the volleys are pretty busy. Cody Kessel, who was nominated for the US national team for the first time, is currently winning one victory after the other with his team in the Nations League. “Japan is an incredible experience,” he says over the phone. “It’s a great opportunity for me to be with the best players in the world, to compete with them and to show off my skills.”

Advanced training in the cool water

Middle blocker Anton Brehme, who was injured last season, is currently working on his comeback – when the temperature is hot he sometimes switches to the cool swimming pool for training. He is due to come back to Berlin next week and continue his training here, just like Ruben Schott, who was unable to travel to the Nations League with the national team after a knee operation, but is doing his rehabilitation training here and hopes to play in the to participate in the World Cup.

Speaking of the German national team: Things are not going particularly smoothly here at the moment, the team had to put up with six defeats in a row before they finally managed to win against Australia. In terms of food, however, things are going all the better, because Satoshi Tsuiki, the new volleyball libero, invited the team led by volleyball player Johannes Tille to the restaurant where he is currently working. In Berlin he wants to continue eating together – then also with Krauchuk.