Herstory was made on Easter weekend in Amsterdam: EuLeVoTo 2024

Following many weeks of Facebook messages around a team name, t-shirts, food, and lodging, Team Eressos United was born; a team of players and supporters from over 10 different nationalities. In true Skala Eressos style as new members (players and supporters) learned of this awesome team, they were welcomed with open arms at the European Lesbian Volleyball Tournament (EuLeVoTo), capturing the magic we all share when we are together in Greece.

We arrived at the venue on a Saturday morning, this would be the first time the team played indoor volleyball together. There was a sense of excitement and nervousness in the air, as we realised that most other teams at the tournament play and practise together regularly. A complete contrast to our team; a group of women who had never played together as a team and who are used to getting together casually, on the beach, at sunset, just for fun while on holiday.

This casual way of being together quickly became one of our advantages. We were so flexible and adaptable, even unpredictable, as a team, that it threw the competition in many of our matches. And we had fun – so much fun!! Warming up with the Tzirtaki and other Greek music, creating a contagious energy amongst the team and supporters.

Everyone played with huge enthusiasm and passion, supported by many of us standing at the sidelines with flags and pom-poms in hand, cheering every point won. And so it began: the first set was a smashing success, and the second and so on. Set after set after set Eressos United won their matches! By evening, the team and supporters gathered for good food, drinks and reminiscing over times on the court as well as times spent together in Skala Eressos, the beautiful place and community that brought us all together.

Throughout the weekend, we had many conversations with other teams and supporters as they were curious about this new team and the place that united us. A common question was, “Is it true – you only know each other from summer holiday?” We reckon that the Sappho International Women’s Festival will have a few new attendees this summer as other members of the EuLeVoTo learn of our magical place.

Sunday morning arrived and with that the qualifying matches that would decide whether our team competed for 3rd/ 4th place or was actually entering the Final to win our category. Having come this far, it probably should have never even been a question on our minds. We made it to the final. And what a final it was! You could almost touch the tension in the air, as we played against a lovely team of French women, every player fighting for every point. We won the first set, they won the second set, so it was time for a deciding final set. One last push…. And we made it. Eressos United won in our category – making history as the first women’s volleyball team representing Eressos!

The tournament finished with a party on Sunday evening, following a moving awards ceremony where Eressos United was crowned not only winner in its category but also ‘best newcomer team’ and awarded with a special volleyball, signed by the women’s national team of the Netherlands.

So many memories were made that weekend, friendships formed and deepened, and I think it’s fair to say that we carried the spirit of Skala Eressos in our hearts, everywhere we went.