Salvador Oliva on All-Star Match: A show? OK, but I still play to win

Time is running out for the selection of players for the PlusLiga All-Star Match, which will be held on December 15 in TAURON Arena Kraków, shortly before the final weekend of the 2017 Club World Championship. Arguably, one of the biggest stars of the show will be Salvador Hidalgo Oliva from Jastrzębski Węgiel.

In the PlusLiga All-Star Match the North will face the South and each team will be led by two coaches. A voting poll to determine both line-ups is being held on PlusLiga website, fans will pick up the 14 players to each team. The voting closes at midnight on December 5. You can cast your vote here: http://www.plusliga.pl/starmatch/s/votes.html

Not just a sport event

- It's good that it was possible to find the time for the All-Star Match, despite the fact that the December’s schedule is extremely tight due to the start of the Champions League and the Christmas break. I had a chance to play in the All-Star Match in Germany. Unfortunately, in other countries - Turkey, Russia and China – they didn’t arrange this kind of event. It all depends on the organization of the national league - if there is time for additional matches - and on many other factors.  I am very happy that it was possible to recommence it in Poland on the occasion of the Club World Championship. It will be a great event, not only from the sport side. There will be many friends from all over the world. First of all, it's going to be a nice meeting of a wide group of PlusLiga players, for which we normally don't have time, so obviously it will be an interesting lesson and a useful experience. I am delighted that the PlusLiga authorities contacted me, even before the All-Star Match was officially announced, because it means that they appreciate me and my work - emphasized Salvador Hidalgo Oliva.

Tickets for the PlusLiga All-Star Match are available to online: https://www.ebilet.pl/sport/pilka-siatkowa/mecz-siatkowki/

 Fun - yes, but I play to win

- I am very excited about this event. It's something perfect for me, because I am a very communicative person, who likes to talk with everyone - with players on the other side of net, coaches, referees and of course with the fans. It's my way of volleyball - to play and have fun doing my job. Maybe it's a bit different, but I see and feel that people like it and it gives me joy. That is the beauty of it. If I play a match, no matter what type of game it is, I want to win, I always fight seriously. It's also my idea of the All-Star Match - I want to celebrate a victory with my team. I never play volleyball only for fun. I know that people come to this type of events and expect a show, something more than they are used to seeing in regular volleyball matches. However, I personally  prefer to play seriously. Certainly, I will adapt to the concept and I will be a part of both the hard game and the entertainment. Nevertheless, my philosophy is that it's good to be a part of show, but only once you play with a particular goal in mind. In this case it's the victory. People don't pay for tickets to see only a show, they come to see the best players of the league and great volleyball feast. And this is something different.

Orange invasion

- It will be interesting to play in one team with other players from different countries, especially mentally. I think it will be a great opportunity to even learn something new about myself. I hope that we will appear in Kraków with a strong six-person group from Jastrzębski Węgiel with our coach Mark Lebedew. Certainly, it will be interesting, because we know each other very well, so it will be easier to surprise others. Do we prepare something special for this day? We are special… [laugh]

More information about the 2017 FIVB Men's Club World Championship is available on the www.kmspolska.pl website  and on the tournaments official social media channels - Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/KMSPolska/  and Twitter: www.twitter.com/KmsPolska