THE CHARACTER
Over 250 yellow and blue appearances and a heavy goal in a derby against Ripa Fenadora’s cousins. Sebastiano Sommacal, former Belluno central defender, as a child had the dream of playing in the first team of his city; an objective that he largely managed to achieve by becoming a staple in the back department of all the coaches who sat on the bench of the Polisportivo. In the season finale Belluno, San Giorgio Sedico and Union Feltre announced the possibility of a merger, which materialized a few weeks later; and “Seba” was the first, together with Gjoshi, to sign for this new reality born in a short time but with great ambition for the future.
«I was the first together with Halil to accept the proposal of the Belluno Dolomites», he says proudly, «several teams looked for me and some voices gave me a sure start in other directions; but when I spoke to the new company they immediately told me they wanted to bet on me and I felt proud and privileged to have this opportunity, not everyone has had it. The ambitious project of these three companies convinced me. I don’t hide the fact that the idea of playing in a team in our province with these goals is stimulating and tempting at the same time and I haven’t thought twice about signing ».
Sommacal, born in 1992, began playing football at the age of five in the ranks of Limana, which became Ztll a few years later. Later he moved to Belluno where he played in the juniores and made his debut in the first team in 2009-2010. The technician who throws him in D is Renzo Groppello, who has recently taken over from the exonerated Gianfranco Borgato. Sommacal in December 2011 is sent to San Giorgio, in Promotion, where he plays the entire second round under the orders of Sandro Tormen. The experience with the lancers of Lebanon proves to be fundamental because in the summer “Seba” returns to Belluno and from that moment on he never takes off his yellow and blue jersey.
Roberto Raschi in 2012-2013 focuses on him as an overweight but also the subsequent coaches, first Vecchiato, then Baldi, De Agostini and Lauria, entrust him with the keys to the back department as central defender and, if necessary, as a full-back.
What have you taken away from these years in Belluno?
«My dream was to try to get to play in the provincial team and being able to do so for ten years was a source of pride. It was a great thrill to play at Belluno: on the one hand it is a pity that this story has ended but on the other it will be nice to start again with new stimuli ».
What are the best memories you have left?
«I didn’t score many goals, obviously I remember with particular pleasure the one scored at the Polisportivo in 2016 against Union Ripa Fenadora. Of these seasons I take away the three consecutive years of playoffs that we played in the first “era” Vecchiato, in which we also played a final in Campodarsego. Although it came after a difficult season, I also remember with great emotion the salvation achieved in the playout at home against St. Georgen. You learn a lot from the beautiful seasons but also from the more complicated ones ».
What were the worst memories instead?
«I don’t have any bad ones», continues Sommacal, «it was difficult after making my debut in Serie D to go to Promotion but I must say that those months at San Giorgio were a precious and fundamental school. I have maintained excellent relationships with players, managers and coach ».
The merger of Belluno, San Giorgio Sedico and Union Feltre amazed everyone. You footballers too?
«We also did not expect it and we were curious to understand what we wanted to do. It is never easy to do something new, doing nothing is always the simplest way. In Belluno, it is well known, there is great parochialism; we will have to be good at convincing people to come to the stadium and entertain them. We will have to try to go all in the same direction ».
What can we expect from this new reality?
«Obviously the maximum commitment on the part of everyone. The backbone of the team that has been chosen is the one with many local players and this is further confirmation that the Belluno players are not to be discarded. Previously, the local boys were often snubbed for players who came from outside the province. It was demonstrated with the group in Belluno that we are not so bad. The ambition to take a strong group from Belluno and integrate it with players from outside is a good project. Then time will be the judge ».
Sommacal has never hidden that he has been living with type one diabetes for almost twenty years, a disease discovered at a young age. Despite this, thanks to the help of his doctor and competent people who follow him regularly, he has always managed to live a normal life and reach important sporting goals. “Seba” has been called several times to bring his testimony in the province for the younger boys affected by this problem and has never pulled back in telling his experience.
“Football has always been my passion and when I discovered I have diabetes, sport helped me from many points of view”, he concludes, “the advice is to talk about it and share your situation as much as possible without being ashamed or close in on themselves. At the level of social integration it is often not easy for those living with this disease. It is also important to be followed by competent people ». –
© breaking latest news