Mattarella receives the Azzurri of world champions volleyball: “An unforgettable evening”

“World champions! Most affectionate, intense and heartfelt congratulations. It was an unforgettable evening”. The president of the Republic Sergio Mattarella thus greeted the Azzurri of volleyball, received at the Quirinale the day after conquest of the World title in Poland. “I try to follow volleyball when I can, I heard comments and criticisms on the eve and I read that it was such a young team that with my age I feel uncomfortable, out of place”, added the Head of State, then giving the coach a caress. De Giorgi: “Winning three World Cups as a player is a feat, winning one by leading the team from the off-field is very challenging. I admired how he addressed the team during matches, I saw other coaches who had reproachful gestures, his tranquility he helped to give serenity to the team “. “I saw last night’s final from the first to the last bar of Poland; the first set was also in your hands but having given it to the Poles was a gesture of courtesy to the very sporting Polish audience”. And then: “It was an important day for our sport, in Monza there was a triumph of popular participation for the Formula 1 and Ferrari, the Italy of basketball did a business with Serbia. Now – he concluded Mattarella – we are waiting for the Women’s World Cup, hoping that your ‘sisters’ will have the same fate in a reverse path to what happened at the European Championships “.

De Giorgi: “Historic result, young people who generate value”

“These blues are talented young people, they are a sign of hope for our country because they generate value” said the Italian coach. Ferdinando De Giorgi. “We have achieved a historic result. I had won the last title 24 years ago, as a player, and winning it back today was like a long hug with a group of guys who believed in the project and spent their time fully.”

Giannelli: “Won with joy and smile”

The Azzurri gave the President a ball signed by all the protagonists of the world championship success: “Dear President, now we are realizing what we did, I was little and I don’t remember the other World Cup 24 years ago. I am very happy to have brought the ‘Italy so far, we have done it with our style, joy and smile “the captain’s words Simone Giannelli. “We are special guys, with the desire to get involved. Yesterday we seemed to have fun and it didn’t feel like playing a World Cup final, we are proud of what we have done, I would be very happy to come back here another time”.

Draghi: “Thanks for the emotions”

The premier also congratulated the Azzurri Mario Draghi: “Team spirit and unity of purpose always pay off, and not just in sport” said the Prime Minister. “You are an example of what young Italians are capable of. After the disappointment of the Olympics, Azzurri volleyball took advantage of the defeats and renewed itself, as only great traditions can do. Your victory at the World Cup has obtained the 22% television share: I was one of that 22% … Thanks for the emotions you gave us, which you gave me last night “.

“At the beginning of my government – added Draghi – I joked that Italy won everything, from the European Championships to the Olympics, and then the Eurovision and the Nobel Prize in Physics. Then this magical moment had faded away, with some Disappointments. Well, together with the Azzurri of the European swimming championships, you have interrupted this negative moment: sport is made up of ups and downs. You have shown coldness in difficult moments, clarity and awareness of your means. A characteristic not only of professionals. but real champions, who sooner or later come back to win “. Draghi spoke of “the formidable state of health enjoyed by Italian volleyball”, and congratulated coach De Giorgi and captain Giannelli “awarded as the best player of the tournament”.

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