Germany’s Melanie Paul – From alleged setback to cherished EuroBeachVolley debut

This week, Austria’s Beach Volleyball legend Alexander Horst achieved a significant milestone with his 19th EuroBeachVolley appearance – he has not missed a single edition since 2007 apart from last year’s event in Düsseldorf. For Germany’s Melanie Paul, on the other hand, the event in Stare Jablonki was special in many ways. Last year, she was due to play on home soil with Lea Kunst until an issue with her Federation of Origin prevented her from doing so. This time, she eventually made it to EuroBeachVolley with new partner Louisa Lippmann – in what was only the second tournament since they have formed this partnership designed to last for at least two years. 

“I really enjoyed the experience here in Stare Jablonki, especially the venue set up right in such a special environment, surrounded by nature, forests and right by the lake. Even though the location may appear a bit remote at a first glance, there has been a great atmosphere since the start of the tournament, with many fans coming to watch the matches and I am sure that the centre court will be fully packed this coming weekend,” Paul says. “You can tell that Stare Jablonki is a well-established Beach Volleyball Mecca – with an impressive track record in event delivery that includes also the 2013 FIVB World Championships.” 

Born in Argentina and raised in Chile, Paul feels privileged to be able to represent Germany on the international stage. “I am especially grateful to the German Volleyball Federation for all their support, also financially speaking, to solve the issues that arose last year with my Federation of Origin, primarily due to the fact that I started playing Volleyball while I was living in Chile with my family and went to school there. The issue was eventually sorted and I am relieved that I can now pursue my dream of representing Germany at the next Olympic Games in Los Angeles.” 

To do so, Paul – who studied in the US and has the CV of a real globetrotter – will have to stand fierce domestic competition, including from the team she and Lippmann lost to on Thursday in the first round of the knockout phase, 2024 European champions Cinja Tillmann and Svenja Müller. “I see this tough domestic competition as an additional motivation for me to work hard and improve as much as I can. My goal has always been to play for Germany – and even though I had other options since for instance I hold Argentinean citizenship as well, it has never been a question as to which country I would have wanted to represent internationally. The German Volleyball Federation has recognised my potential and is now supporting me with quality coaching and a partner of the highest calibre.” 

At times, it may sound a bit intimidating to stand next to someone who has an impressive resume in both Volleyball and Beach Volleyball – and previously played with a real legend of the sport such as Laura Ludwig. “Of course, sometimes I do realise this and it is in the back of my mind. But, again, I see this as an extra push for me to develop further and further as an athlete and as a person,” adds Paul, who is now based in Hamburg. The first EuroBeachVolley experience is something she is going to cherish even though the tournament has already come to an end for her. “With each match, I realise more and more that this is what I want to do and the goal I wish to pursue. The competition is tough, in Germany and internationally as well, but I am determined to work as hard as I can.” 

Last year, she was told she could not play in Düsseldorf just a few hours before the event was due to begin. However, what many might have seen as a setback turned into an extra push for Melanie to pursue her ultimate dream. Earlier this summer, she played for the BR Volleys in the inaugural edition of the domestic club championship run by the German Volleyball Federation in Hannover – and yet she will not compete in the CEV European Cup later this season. “The Olympic dream comes first and I want to seize every single opportunity to get closer and closer to its fulfilment,” she concludes.