Three pieces are increasingly outlining the mosaic of the new Igor, who in recent days has announced a confirmation and two new faces in the team that will be made available to coach Lorenzo Bernardi. In the centre, alongside Sara Bonifacio, as we previously wrote, comes none other than Imoco Conegliano Federica Squarcini. Pisana from Pontedera (where she was born on 24 September 2000, 183 centimetres), the athlete already has a rather intense career behind her between Modena, Anderlini, Sassuolo, Monza and Cuneo, before the last two seasons among the “panthers” where he won practically everything. With the club of “patron” Fabio Leonardi and sister Giovanna Saporiti you have signed a contract until 2026.
«When I received the proposal from Novara it wasn’t difficult to accept – said the Tuscan player – I experience this adventure as a sign of destiny: at 15 I had already auditioned for Igor, then the paths took different directions. Now I didn’t want to miss the opportunity. My goal is to help the team improve, in the championship and in the CEV Cup.” This is in the short term, but in the medium-long term her desire is to return to the national team: «Velasco has rightly called up those who were starters in their club. In Conegliano I didn’t have many chances…”.
However, the control room of the team does not change, which after Francesca Bosio also saw the confirmation of her “deputy”, Valentina Bartolucci. A 21-year-old setter from Pesaro, Under 21 world vice champion in 2023 in Mexico (complete with an award for best setter), at the beginning of last season she contributed to the conquest of the Wevza Cup, then always being ready to alternate with her colleague role.
«We are returning from a wonderful season – said the player, currently busy preparing for the European Junior Championships in July – Our desire will be to repeat ourselves and be able to improve. We confirmed athletes will have the task of transmitting the harmony of the group to the new ones. The goal is to get as high as possible, especially in the CEV Cup, a high-level competition.”
From a confirmed department to a totally renewed one. In the “battery” of bands, alongside the Japanese Ishikawa, also from Il Bisonte Firenze, comes the German Lina Alsmeier (pictured), who has signed a two-year contract with Igor. She was born in Nordhorn (a town in the south-west of Lower Saxony) on 29 June 2000, a spiker of 189 centimetres, she began her career in Munster, and then moved to Schwerin where she won two Cups and a German Super Cup. From a technical point of view she is considered powerful in attack but also capable of disengaging in the fundamentals of the second line.
«Novara is a strong, prestigious and ambitious team – said the player, who many had the opportunity to see on Wednesday evening with her national team against Italy, where with 12 points she was the best scorer – I am happy to continue my championship adventure in a club used to fighting for the top and in international competitions. In the new season I ask to be able to continue to grow and help the team in all possible ways.”
The general director of Igor, Enrico Marchioni, said he was satisfied with these operations: «We know Squarcini well. We are convinced that he will be able to make a very important contribution both as a flexible central defender but also in a fundamental role such as batting, a great specialist. Bartolucci had an excellent impact with the top flight, proving to be as reliable and courageous in training as she was during the matches where she was called into action. We expect a further step forward from her. With Alsmeier we believe we have made one of the most interesting players on the international scene available to our staff. She is a complete spiker, who has already shown her talent in her first Italian season in Florence.”
