History is written. For the first time, in the absolute championship of men’s beach volleyball, a couple from Catania climbs to the top step of the podium. Franco Arezzo and Geri Ndrecaj, top team of the Masterball Academy, conquer the victory in the second stage, concluded yesterday at the Capannine of Catania.
In the final, the two players from Catania – dragged onto the home sand by an extraordinary crowd – beat Mauro Sacripanti and Giacomo Titta 2-0. A victory of heart, quality, and technique strongly desired.
“A dream come true – explains Franco Arezzo, born in 1993 – because winning on the sand of my home, in front of the people I love, my family first and foremost, the most precious thing, friends and those who believe in you, was priceless. An extraordinary emotion, perhaps the most beautiful I have felt in my sporting life. Now we must not stop. New challenges await us, tournaments where we can test ourselves. The turning point? In my opinion, the ninth place in the international tournament in Messina at the Futures, allowed us to mature and become fully aware, after a period that was not positive in terms of results”.
For Geri Ndrecaj, an unforgettable success: “The run towards my parents after the victory in the semifinal over Bigarelli and Reggiani tells what it means to have your family by your side. I am happy because we believe a lot in this sport. We work hard to achieve great results. These are emotions that I share with all the people in our team who help us grow”.
Third place for Bigarelli-Reggiani, tough opponents beaten in the semifinals by Arezzo-Ndrecaj at the end of three very tight sets. “Playing – they recall in unison – at midday, in the heat, with the tension of a direct challenge, with the awareness that we were playing for something historic, was not easy. Winning 2-1, gathering all our energy in the third set, was truly special”. Brothers Giosué and Federico Andronico, the souls of the Masterball Academy, the beach volleyball club, fifth in the men’s sector at the finals of the Italian club championship in Bibione, smile excitedly.
Great satisfaction also for the coach of the couple Dario Giuffrida, the trainer Marco De Costa and the mental coach, Cinzia Pennisi. “Thanks – they confess – are also due to the Capannine and also to all the guys who train with us every day, who have agreed to train with us, improving and helping us improve”.
In the women’s category, victory for Giada Bianchi and Reka Orsi Toth over Michela Lantignotti and Giada Benazzi (2-0). Third place for Sara Breidenbach and Chiara They over Federica Frasca and Alice Gradini
