From war refugee to national coach - Nikita Zabski leads Ukraine at the Ios Futures

Once a war refugee from Ukraine, Nikita Zabski has built a new life in Greece and earlier this week he found himself coaching the Ukrainian National Beach Volleyball Team at the Ios Futures tournament of the Beach Pro Tour.

Having lived in Athens and Chania for the past seven years, Zabski is a familiar face on Greek sand. This time, he was not competing, but guiding the Likhatskyi brothers – Ivan and Richard – as assistant coach, stepping in when the team’s main coach could not travel due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

With deep knowledge of both the Greek Beach Volleyball scene and the local conditions, Zabski offers not only technical expertise but a powerful story of resilience and connection between two nations.

You are a familiar face on the Greek Beach Volleyball scene. What brings you to Ios this time?
I have competed in many Beach Volleyball tournaments here in Greece, since I have lived in the country for the past seven years - both in Athens and in Chania. But at the Ios Beach Pro Tour event, I am here in a different role: coaching the Likhatskyi brothers from Ukraine.

How did you take on the role of coach for Ukraine’s national team?
I prefer to call myself an assistant coach. The boys have a main coach back in Ukraine who guides them as he should. But as you know, the situation in Ukraine is complicated. Since their coach was not able to travel, and the federation knows I live in Greece and can support the team, they asked me to step in and help. I know the players well, and I know how things work in Greece - the heat, the wind, and I’m also familiar with the four Greek teams they might face. That insight helps.

What kind of support or coaching are you offering in Ios?
The most important advice I gave them was to focus their preparation on quick, close, and precise passes. I cannot change their whole game, but we study the opponents, watch video, and look for ways to find two-three extra points per set. At this level, that makes a big difference. Of course, during a Beach Volleyball match, a coach can’t do much. In indoor volleyball, a coach can steer the match, give constant feedback. On the sand… you just sit there and smoke (laughs).

How did the team perform, especially in the match against Poland?
They did really well. They were disappointed, naturally - losing with a score like 23-21, 29-27 is always tough. But I’m very satisfied. They played great.

“In Ios, everything runs like Swiss clockwork”

Every time I have come to Ios, I have never seen a poorly organised event. Athletes from abroad come here, and even the Ukrainian girls told me they have never experienced such a well-run tournament. Here, everything runs like a Swiss watch. There are absolutely no complaints.

“How can you not want to live in the country with Odysseus’ island?”

I first came to Greece after the 2014 war in Ukraine. Life had shifted for me, and I decided to explore what it’s like living in Southern Europe. I already knew Greece through its history and mythology - I wanted to see Odysseus’ island for myself. And I’m glad I did. Greece has so many beautiful things and amazing food. I am not sure if I stay in Greece permanently - because once you live here, it’s hard to leave. You put down roots. I don’t know if I stay or go, but one thing is for sure: I want to retire here. Greece changed me. When I first arrived, I was full of nerves, always rushing, moving at high speed. Now I have calmed down. It gave me peace.