Today begins the journey of the U15 Ibr engaged in the Interzone of Chiavari, in Liguria. At 4pm, the red and whites coached by Simone Brugè, Paolo, Carasso and Gianluca Verni will face the same age team from Empoli. In the group of talented people from Rimini there are also Pordenone (first in the Friuli group) and Legnano. Tomorrow will be cross-matches between the winners and losers of the first round, and the third and final match will be on Sunday. The first two classified qualify for the national category finals, scheduled in Anzio (on the Roman coast) in the first week of June.
The U15 Ibr has dominated the regional rankings since the start of the season. Its ranks include Mattia Ruggeri and Lorenzo Ricci who were recently called up by the U16 national team to the meeting in Caorle (VE). Ruggeri is the son of art: his father Massimo is from that class of ’72 capable (unique in Italy) of winning all the championships at youth level together with Myers, Semprini and Ferroni, and of a high-level Italian career, even in the jersey red and white.
Mattia is writing his story in segments: according to ItalHoop, the specialized site that offers Italian rankings for all years, he is currently the best player of 2009 in Italy.
“We don’t know the opponents of this Interzone – admits Paolo Carasso – but we focus a lot on our potential. Technique, tactics and experience gained between tournaments around Italy and at Papini: we have everything to do well.” The objective, for the CEO of Rbr in this case returning to the role of coach, is “to win the Interzone and present ourselves as seeded at the National finals in June”.
With the return (after injury) of Alessandro Altini, the Rimini roster is complete. (pg)
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