Arianna Gragnolati dreams of the cups with Verona and the Paris Games 2024 with the Setterosa

The 25-year-old from Pavia is part of the national team that will be involved in the World League in Russia from the end of January

PAVIA. The dream is the Olympic Games in Paris, reality is third place in A1 with Verona and tenth in the top scorer of women’s water polo series. We are talking about Arianna Gragnolati from Pavia, 25, who scores in a burst in the league and in the national team, after being eliminated last June from the race to Tokyo, tries again for Paris. Meanwhile, in the new blue course, led by Carlo Silipo, Arianna enters by right. The Italian representative, from next January 25th, will be involved in the World League in Russia. To better organize the match against the Russians, the coach has summoned the athletes for a boarding school in Ostia, which ends today and in which Gragnolati also participates.

Are the Games in France a concrete goal, given your call-up for the World League?

“Paris is in 2024, and three years is a very long time. Honestly, first there is the desire to become part of the Setterosa on a permanent basis, face event by event and then aim for Paris, in small steps. I always try my best because the Setterosa is a dream for those who play water polo ».

The goal of your Verona this year?

«Vetrocar’s seasonal goal is certainly to do better than last year, that is to place itself in the first three positions in order to access the qualifying phase of the European Cup for clubs. We are currently third, after six days of regular season.

And its goal?

“To continue to improve myself more and more and, as mentioned before, to try to enter the squad of the national team on a permanent basis.”

Any regrets about the elimination with Verona from the Euroleague?

«Unfortunately we almost reached the qualification for the next round of the Euroleague, we didn’t make it but it is always a good experience to compete with other sports realities from other countries. Surely now we are aiming to do well in the championship ».

His parents, Mario and Vilma, run a flower stand at Minerva. Are you able to go home every now and then?

“I’m lucky enough to play just over 170 km from home, and between training sessions and matches I always manage to carve out the space to go home a little bit and when I can I also help them in the shop”.

She is a forward. Are you hoping to win the top scorer?

«It is not a goal, it is thanks to my teammates that I score a lot, but as they help me, I help them to be in the best possible position to score. I am currently in tenth place ».