CONEGLIANO (TREVISO) – Time always does justice to those who work hard and commit to achieving their goals with effort, sweat and overcoming obstacles. Sarah Fahr knows something about this, who, almost three years after the first knee injury suffered during the European Championships in 2021, returned to wear the Italy jersey this summer with great results following two seasons as a protagonist with Prosecco Doc Imoco. Having left her physical problems behind, the time has come to take it all back with interest, and the Italian centre-back does not want to set limits, both with the national team and with Conegliano. Last summer, the painful decision not to take part in the Italian expedition to continue with her physical recovery and return 100% for the 2023/24 club season. A choice that has paid off for both Fahr and Prosecco Doc, with the victory of the Scudetto, Coppa Italia, Supercoppa and Champions League. Which is why stepping back onto the field wearing the number 19 jersey of Italy had an even more special flavour for the young veteran born in Kulmbach on 12 September 2001. «Returning to experience the blue group was really nice – says Fahr – being able to train, experiencing the spirit of the national team again. Everything went well, we worked really well for all these weeks and we want to continue like this. The only shock, if you can call it that, was the transition from the Prosecco Doc game system to that of Italy, but it’s just a matter of adaptability and we all go through it». And the adaptation went more than well for all the athletes involved, considering that the Velasco era opened with the triumph at the Volley Nations League, beating Japan in the final.
Sarah, it’s hard to imagine a better start to the summer.
«I am and we are very happy with the result obtained, winning the VNL represents a great injection of confidence for the whole group, but we don’t want to stop here. The VNL was one of the goals, we were good at achieving it, but we want to continue working well in view of the Olympics. We hope that the best is yet to come”.
Italy was coming off a disappointing 2023, did you experience a bit of pressure?
“No, we lived it serenely, we know our values, we just worked hard trying to give our best from match to match. The objectives have always been clear, we are a strong group made up of many expert players who have played many important and final matches”.
In addition to the gold, you also won the recognition of best middle blocker together with the Polish Korneliuk, something special for you?
“Very nice, maybe a little unexpected since I didn’t take part in the first stage. I’m happy because I don’t see it as an individual recognition but rather as a reward for the work of the whole group. Each of us supports the other and this helps us to express ourselves at our best.”
During the Vnl he met many companions of the old and new Prosecco Doc, including Gabi, Lukasik and Seki just to name three.
«Yes, we introduced ourselves and exchanged a few words to get to know each other, as well as complimenting each other on the podium. Then we thought we’d take the photo and send it to Imoco. It’s nice to think that next season too the Prosecco Doc will be made up of many top-level players.”
First the Olympics, then a busy season that you will experience as reigning champions of every trophy, with the exception of the Club World Cup that awaits you.
«As always Pietro Maschio and Daniele Santarelli were very good at building the team. We know that it will be complicated to win, it is every year, but everyone who comes to Conegliano does so for a reason and with clear objectives in mind. It is a team mentality that has consolidated over the years, in which each of us is ready to give 100% for the team’s result. Now the focus is on Paris 2024, then we will think about having fun and entertaining our beautiful audience too.”
After the triumph in Bangkok in VNL and a few days of rest, the Italians from Velasco will return to work on Monday. The women’s national team will train from 1st to 5th July in Cervia, in view of the test match against Serbia on 9th July (7pm) at Palazzo Wanny in Florence.
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