VOLLEY. The Imoco will play the first trophy tomorrow
the protagonist
Monica De Gennaro is the only player who has raised all 13 Imoco trophies and, on the eve of the Super Cup final against Novara, the thought goes to the possible fourteenth. “We start on an equal footing – says the free of the panthers – considering that we are at the beginning of the season, that there are some changes in formation and some injuries”. In his ninth season in the Gialloblù jersey, “Moki” is looking confidently at the umpteenth final, «Winning is always nice and it would be tomorrow afternoon too; let’s see at what point our preparation is, but it seems to me that we have grown with the friendlies. The two Americans Courtney and Plummer immediately integrated both in training in the gym and off the pitch: I have only known them for a few days, but I see that they are very available and with a great desire to work ».
On the other side of the net you will see a student versus teacher challenge, given that Eleonora Fersino, the fruit of the Imoco nursery, has landed in Novara. «Fers is still very young, but I think he had a good experience in Bergamo last year; in Novara I think she would have been the owner anyway, beyond the announcement of Sansonna’s maternity ».
The aftermath of the summer commitments have led to many injuries, especially among the players of the national team, with direct consequences on their respective clubs: Sylla and Fahr for Conegliano, Orro for Monza, Pietrini for Scandicci. “For all of them, especially for my companions, I hope for a speedy recovery: Sarah will soon return to Conegliano to continue her rehabilitation and stay with us, Miriam has a less serious problem, but unfortunately these are normal things after a summer so full of commitments that add up to those of the clubs ».
Should another blue medal arrive in the next few years, Sergio Mattarella should no longer be at the Quirinale, who on Monday met the two European winners. «His speech but also that of Draghi was moving; the Head of State is a volleyball fan and we hope that his appeal on the scarcity of matches on television will stir something up ».
In the meantime, we have gone from 35% to 50% of the capacity in the halls and tomorrow at the Pala Panini in Modena there may be some public. “It is a step forward, we hope it will expand even more especially for us who have many fans at Palaverde”.
The debut within the friendly walls will be on Sunday 10 against the newly promoted Vallefoglia. «All the teams are equipped to do well. I expect an even more balanced championship, because strong players have also arrived from abroad from Russia ».
It was the Russians who beat Italy Under 18 at the World Cup in Mexico and the silver of the blue completes a summer of great results, with the European gold of the senior national team and the Under 19 world title. “We have done something special, which had not happened for many years. It means that Italian volleyball is in excellent health, because at the youth level we work well and we continue to be strong also in perspective ». –