The first page of "V come Volley"
Trento, February 10th 2017
The insert “V come Volley” is in every newsstand with today’s edition of “La Gazzetta dello Sport”: eight pages that every Friday will be dedicated to the volleyball. In the first edition the protagonist is Simone Giannelli; for one day the young setter of Diatec Trentino has played the role of journalist and wrote an article on the first page in his own hand. Here is the full text, in which he speaks about his moment, the moment of Trento, and gives a special thought to the fans that keep on supporting him.
“When in 1996 the so-called “Generazione di Fenomeni” (Phenomena Generation) got a silver medal in Atlanta, I still had to be born. That’s why I can’t understand what volleyball was in Italy in that period; but I have seen many times dozens of videos, I met some of the most important players of that team and I’m pleased to hear from them and from other insiders that the silver medal we got last summer in Rio has brought our sport in the media limelight once again. After all, this insert, which “La Gazzetta dello Sport” offers today to its readers, is the explicit demonstration of the popular importance of volleyball. For me it is an honour, before being a pleasure, having received the invitation to write for this insert. I’ll try not to cause damage.
QUALITY – What I’m telling you? First of all, that the Final Four of Del Monte Coppa Italia 2017 at Unipol Arena of Bologna has been splendid and has revealed how much quality has been shown both on the field and by the organization of the event. Beyond the result, which I preferred to be different, during that weekend the atmosphere was great and the show has been special, both in and out of the playing field. Losing a final has been a bad tumble for us of Trento, but Civitanova has played a stellar volleyball. It was difficult to stop it, when it attacks, serves and receives in that way. The silver medal got in that occasion, after the bronze one obtained at the Club World Championship in Brazil, has confirmed that the season of my Diatec Trentino has been great so far; few people could have imagined us on the podium in both competitions, but I think that everything didn’t come randomly. We are a great group, which has a big Italian connotation and which especially knows the way of working and playing that Trentino Volley has been showing for ten years. Angelo Lorenzetti makes us grow day after day. We can keep on playing an important role also in CEV Cup and in the play-offs, in the hope of getting a victory (at least) in one of the two competitions.
SELFIES AND AUTOGRAPHS – One last thing: I take advantage of the space allowed me by “La Gazzetta dello Sport” to thank all the people who look for me, write me, follow me or simply ask me for a selfie or an autograph. I entered the world of the great volley a short time ago, but the love I received has been exaggerated. That’s why I like to stop after the end of every match to receive your hug and know you better; after all, during the Final Four of Champions League in Bolzano few years ago I too wanted the autograph of my favourite setter: Lloy Ball”.
Simone Giannelli
