Polish volleyball star Malvina Smarzek spent a happy time in Russia playing for Lokomotiv Kaliningrad. And she did not want to leave even after the events of February last year began.

However, the terrible persecution in her homeland forced her to return home, where the fans drove her to depression, and some even literally pushed and spat at her.

“I felt at home in Russia”

We must immediately make a reservation that volleyball in Poland is practically a religion. This sport is loved no less than football, so what is happening with Smarzek was followed there very, very actively, especially since Malvina has long been the leader of the national team and its best volleyball player. Having started her career at home, the athlete managed to play in Italy and Russia by the age of 26. In 2021, she signed a contract with Lokomotiv Kaliningrad and was incredibly happy. The level of Russian volleyball is very high, which corresponded to the ambitions of a talented polka, who immediately fell in love with Loko fans.

Even after the suspension of Russian clubs and the difficult political situation, Malvina was not ready to part with our country. She even wrote a post on the social network, where she explained that her return home would not change anything, and the Russian volleyball players were in no way to blame for what was happening. Unfortunately, the pressure in Poland was too great, it came to direct threats, so Smarzek decided to finish the season in the Developress club from Rzeszow. But before leaving, she managed to confess her love for Russia and the Russian people.

– I’m leaving Lokomotiv not at will. I think everyone understands why this happened. It’s a pity. Once again, I want to say a big thank you to everyone. I really fell in love with Russia and the Russian people who surrounded me here. I want to thank you all for the last eight months, for your support. You are wonderful! I felt at home. It was one of the best seasons of my life. Then Loko has an important and difficult stage of the championship. And I am very sorry that I do not have the opportunity to play in the playoffs with the team. I wish Lokomotiv victories. I am happy that I was part of this team,” said Smarzek.

Malvina Smarzek / Photo: © VK Lokomotiv

“I was afraid to leave my house in Poland”

Apparently, such a statement closed the way for the athlete to the national team. The coaching staff did not call her to the team to prepare for the World Cup, and the fans, upon returning to the Polish Championship, made a banner with the inscription: “Smarzek, go back to Russia.” The girl was booed regularly. And the other day, Malvina gave a very emotional interview in the program “In the Shadow of Sports”, where she described in detail everything that happened to her.

“I used to get pushed. People spat at me. I faced a lot of hate, I was even afraid to leave my house in Poland. I am currently recovering from depression. I used to have panic attacks that sometimes came back. It all started in Russia. It was the moment when everything overwhelmed me. It was building up in me, the situation was killing me. I felt that there was no point in playing volleyball, taking a shower, eating, going out. I was so depressed that I didn’t understand what was going on. Later I was diagnosed. I am currently undergoing treatment,” said Smarzek.

Apparently, Malvina will soon return to the national team and help Poland in the League of Nations, in which the team will start on May 30 with a match against the Canadians. However, it is unlikely that the athlete will be able to forget the hell that she had to endure simply because she wanted to play sports and play where she is loved.