A European champion arrives in Siena: the opposite Gabriele Nelli is a new player for Emma Villas. Born in 1993 in Lucca, Nelli comes from Trento where in the last two seasons he won first the Scudetto and then the Champions League. The 2023 championship was his second championship after the one he won at an early age in 2015. In his palmares he also boasts a Club World Cup won in 2018 and a CEV Cup won in 2019. All trophies lifted with the Trento shirt. Nelli also played in Russia, at Belogorie Belgorod, in France at Cannes and then wore the jerseys of Padua, Piacenza and Vibo Valentia in Italy. He also has important experience with the blue shirt: first with the youth national teams and then with the senior team. Gabriele Nelli won the gold medal at the European Junior Championships in 2012, the bronze medal at the Under 21 World Championships in 2013 and then the bronze medal at the Under 23 World Championships in 2015.
Gabriele Nelli thus completes the team of Emma Villas Siena for the next competitive season with the French setter Thomas Nevot. These are the two players already announced by the Sienese club for the next sporting year, in addition to the confirmation of coach Gianluca Graziosi.
Gabriele Nelli, how did your yes to Emma Villas Siena come about?
I liked this solution. I have the opportunity to play as a protagonist in my home region. I’m very happy with the call and I’m excited. I like the project, I will try to bring Siena back to the top. I spoke with coach Gianluca Graziosi, who is a hard worker. Everyone speaks very highly of it. I’m pumped up and ready to face the next sporting season after a bit of holiday which will serve to recharge my batteries.
How do you imagine next season’s Serie A2 championship?
The level has risen, there are important teams that will want to try to win the tournament to gain promotion to the Super League: I’m thinking of Brescia, Catania, Cuneo, Ravenna.
What is your opinion of the Emma Villas Siena club?
It is a club that always tries to set up competitive teams. I remember the two years spent in the Super League and the rosters set up, with players of the caliber of Marouf and Hernandez. Siena is an ambitious club, working to return to the Super League. It is certainly a club that gives you important stimuli, I will try to give my contribution in order to have an important season.
