“Those who thought that this conference was poorly attended due to the weather had to think again”. This is how the Mayor of Folgaria began Michael Rech at the presentation of Italbasket Training Camp 2024 giving a warm welcome to the Azzurri.
About a hundred people flocked to Piazza Marconi to greet the delegation of the national basketball team which will train until the 21st at the Palazzetto di Folgaria (Via delle Nazioni Unite, all sessions open to the public. Training on Tuesday 18 June is scheduled from 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm). And no one was disappointed because even before the start Poz entertained adults and children, involving everyone and warming up the atmosphere.
“Folgaria has basketball in its heart – he continued Rech – and once again we are happy that the Azzurri are here in the city with us. The relationship that binds us has been going on for years with mutual satisfaction and we hope that this stay will be able to give the team the right push to achieve the great Olympic goal.”
Thus the FIP President Giovanni Petrucci: “It’s nice to see the warmth with which Folgaria and Trentino welcome us again this year. Generally we return to where we feel good and for the team to be on Alpe Cimbra again in 2024 is important to be able to prepare well for competitive commitments. Reaching the Olympic Games has always been the highest goal for every athlete and I hope that our team will be able to do an encore after Tokyo. Everyone thinks we’re the underdogs and maybe it’s for the best. We know that it won’t be easy and it won’t just be Lithuania that will be the biggest obstacle but we will go to Puerto Rico to give our best and amaze.”
Gianmarco Pozzecco: “The boys are happy to train in an environment like this. From the kindness we find at the Golf Hotel to the welcome we receive on the streets of Folgaria from everyone. It’s nice to be pampered and it’s easier to train and prepare. I am pleased that there are so many people from all over Italy at this presentation too. It’s almost useless to make an appeal to come and watch the training sessions because the gym is always full! I heartily thank all those who once again make our stay here on Alpe Cimbra wonderful this year.”
Convinced I can do the exploit too Danilo Gallinari: “We have been coming to Trentino with the Azzurri for years now and we can say that this is a bit like our home. Even today the hall was full and training like this is always a great pleasure. What I can guarantee is that we will do everything to fulfill the dream of returning to the Olympic Games. In the meantime we enjoy the air of Folgaria and the beauty of the landscapes that surround our hotel and the country”.
Also present at the conference was the Head of Delegation Gigi Datome: “I have been in the national team since 2001 (first year with the youth team, ed.) and today it is special to be here in another capacity. The whole staff is working to make the players feel good during preparation. It is important that they train correctly but it is equally important that they rest correctly and eat well. All this is possible thanks to the environment that we find every year in Trentino and this year on Alpe Cimbra. I want to thank everyone for the welcome we find every year when we arrive.”
They also brought their greetings Gianluca GattiPresident of the APT Alpe Cimbra, Mauro PederzolliPresident of FIP Trentino e Daniela VecchiatoDirector of the APT Alpe Cimbra.
Michael Robinson, Club Manager of L’Aquila Basket, reminded those present of the friendly match that the national team will play in Trento, the only match of the summer in Italy, on June 23rd at 7.00 pm against Georgia at the “Il T Quotidiano Arena”. Tickets are on sale on the Vivaticket circuit at this link.
