Italbasket Under 20 has begun its journey of preparation towards theEuropean category, which will be held between 13 and 21 July in Gdynia, Poland. The Azzurrini They are Now in Udine, where on June 21st they began their preparation in view of the International Tournament “Memorial Vigilio De Silvestro-Trofeo Bepi Meneghin” in Domegge di Cadore (Belluno), the last test before the continental competition. From 5 to 7 July the boys of coach Paolo Galbiati they will face the same age groups from Slovenia, Spain and Greece.
Directly from Pala Carnera of Udine we had the opportunity to interview Leonardo Marangon, one of the points of reference of this group. The EPO Cividale wing granted us an exclusive interview during a truly special period in his life.
Hi Leonardo, we’re talking directly from the Under 20 national team gathering, but let’s start elsewhere: how did your graduation go?
“The final exam is over, I took the oral exam two days ago. Taking into account the time I had with my commitments to the national team, I would say it went fairly well.”
Speaking precisely of this, you have just returned from your first training camp with the senior national team, another great opportunity to mature
“It was an incredible experience. Playing with players like Gallinari, who have an important past and history, was very nice. I learned a lot, even though there was little time.”
Who impressed you the most and what did you take from him?
“Obviously seeing Gallinari live made me very emotional. Then I say Petrucelliof him mI was impressed by his defense, how he stands in relation to his classmates. They were the ones who impressed me the most: one because he is my childhood idol, but not only that, while the other for his desire to fight and fight.”
Now with the Under 20 national team you will be the point of reference: how do you experience this role?
“We are a good group, we know each other because we have already done some European Championships together. I feel confidentwe are training well, everyone is giving 100%. It will be about building ourselves, brick by brick, to get as high as possible”.
Among your teammates there will also be Francesco Ferrari, new player of UEB Cividale. What relationship do you have with him and what do you expect from him?
“Him and me we have a beautiful relationship, we already know each other and I expect a bit of what everyone expects from him: that he is committed and that he gives everything on the pitch. This is what Cividale needs to earn everyone’s affection.”
Last year UEB Cividale was the protagonist of a crazy comeback. How do you see next season?
“I can see it well. We are a consolidated group, there have been many reconfirmations and now we will just have to see how the arrival of the new American (Derrick Marks, ed.) will shift the balance a bit. As a group, however, we learned to work and play better over the past year, we have high expectations”.
How important was your growth path to convince you to embrace this project and become a pillar for the future?
“Surely the past year has taught me a lot. The jump in category at the beginning was not easy, but with the help of my teammates and the support of the club that never left me in difficulty I managed to go further. Even this alone would have been enough to stay, not to mention the fans and the Marea Gialla who are wonderful: Cividale is my choice and it is the right one”.
