Helena Grozer: new jersey, same drive

When Helena steps onto the court for EuroVolley Women in Brno, fans will see a new surname stretched across the back of her Czech national team jersey: Grozer.

For a player who spent nearly 16 years building a legendary career as Helena Havelková, the decision to change her jersey name after marrying German Volleyball star Georg Grozer wasn't taken lightly. It was a deeply personal process rooted in family legacy, memory, and moving forward.

"I lost my father when I was a child, so my family name means a lot to me," she shares. "I spent a long time deciding whether I should use Havelková Grozer or simply Grozer. But I have reached a point in my life where I want to build a family as a Grozer, so it felt like the right choice. And Georg is very proud."

The farewell to "Havelková" could not have been scripted better. Her final tournament under her maiden name came in July 2024, when the Czech national team won gold in the FIVB Challenger Cup in the Philippines to secure historic qualification for the Volleyball Nations League (VNL).

"I cried a lot," she admits.

House divided: The VNL family clash

That new chapter brought a moment that felt straight out of a movie script during the VNL this year in Brazil: lining up across the net from her stepdaughter, Leana Grozer, who represents Germany.

With both playing as outside hitters, the family duel avoided direct net blocks, but the competitive tension - and lighthearted family stakes - were immediately present.

"Facing Leana was tough, very challenging, but also a lot of fun," Grozer recalls. "I had to stay extra focused on the match and not think about the fact that my stepdaughter, whom I’ve known since she was a little girl, was standing on the other side of the net."

The internal rivalry added an extra layer of fire on the court, particularly when Leana stepped up to the service line.

"Leana has a very strong serve, and I’m an experienced player. Whenever she’s serving, I really don’t want to get aced by her because that would mean she wins our little internal battle!"

And as for Georg Grozer, watching his wife and daughter compete against each other on the world stage?

"We are all very competitive - all the Grozers are," she laughs.

The unyielding fire: longevity at 38

At 38 years old, after playing at the highest levels of club and international Volleyball across the globe, Grozer’s hunger for the game remains as sharp as ever. While many veterans ease into the twilight of their careers, her drive comes down to a simple, unshakeable daily ethos: total professionalism.

"I love Volleyball. I’ve always wanted to be the best," she says. "I love being on the court, improving every day and I love new challenges. I work very hard every day to stay at this level and keep competing with the best players. Whatever I do, I give it 100%. Every season, I set a new goal for myself - something I really want to achieve. It helps me stay focused and gives me a clear direction to work toward."

Physical demands and grueling travel schedules come with the territory, but Grozer refuses to dwell on the fatigue. "I feel lucky to still have the opportunity to compete at this level. I’m actually more worried about the day that I have to stop playing."

EuroVolleyW at Brno: the long-awaited home stage

That enduring fire has brought her to what may be the most special milestone of her international career: playing a major international championship in front of her home fans in Brno.

Despite an extensive career spanning nearly two decades, EuroVolley marks the very first time she will represent Czechia in a major home tournament.

"I’m 38 years old, and I’ve never had the opportunity to play a major tournament at home during my entire career," she reflects. "It means a lot to me, but at the same time, it’s a big challenge and a great mental test for our whole team. I have been working with a mental coach for many years, so mental preparation is already part of my routine. I’ll prepare for EuroVolley the same way I prepare for every other competition."

Under Head Coach Giannis Athanasopoulos, the Czech women's squad has forged an identity built on collective cohesion rather than individual reliance - a formula Grozer believes gives them the edge to challenge Europe's heavyweights.