Since yesterday it has also been official for the women’s team: of course, it was a sort of formality given the very high ranking of the two Italian volleyball national teams, but between being close to a goal and surpassing it there is always that moment of small worry that neither of the two selections has never actually had. Italy men’s and Italy women’s will then play for the medals at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and with them a large group of volleyball players and coaches from Modena by origin or adoption. Starting from the feminine, well, Julio Velasco is a Modenese by adoption and in fact, with citizenship given to him years and years ago thanks to his past at Panini and the role he had in the spread and consolidation of volleyball in the city. Next to him the deputy is a true Modenese, Massimo Barbolini, who has already made history on the Italy bench. In the staff of the men’s national team there is no one from Modena, Oscar Berti is in charge of the preparation of the B national team, but there are Anzani, Sanguinetti and Rinaldi (the latter called up yesterday for the Vnl) vying for a place among the called-ups, with the former almost certain of place, the two from the Modena nursery much less so, at least to date. And then? If we still talk about indoors, in the women’s category there will be Giovanni Guidetti, head coach of a Serbia team that had already qualified in the tournaments held in September, while among the players of the next Valsa Group Luciano De Cecco is fighting like a lion to get back through the rankings and there will be old acquaintances from Modena Bruno (captain of Brazil), Giani and Ngapeth (coach and spiker of France). Lastly, the beach with Samuele Cottafava in the men’s and Valentina Gottardi in the women’s already qualified for the tournament which will take place under the Eiffel Tower. For the first time in a very long time, Roberto Reggiani will not be there, who for years was the technical director of Qatar’s beach volleyball team (leading them to bronze in Tokyo) but who is now focused above all on the school and the results of Mutina Beach.
Alessandro Trebbi
