After finishing fourth place in the VNL with the Italian national team jersey, the libero Fabio Balaso, vice-champion of the SuperLega Credem Banca with the Lube and European and World champion with the blue selection, enjoys a brief relaxing break before return to work for the upcoming international commitments, i.e. the European Championships and the Olympic Qualifiers. The athlete will join the Club only two weeks before the official start of the top flight.
What are your feelings after the fourth place finish at the VNL?
Balaso: “The national team still wants to demonstrate a lot and win as much as possible. In Poland we had further confirmation that we can play it with everyone, but at the same time tangible proof that you can never lower your attention span. It’s not easy, but our technical, physical and mental level must always be at the top”.
Did the Volleyball Nations League tell us that the number one danger remains Poland?
“We mustn’t underestimate anyone, starting with our group rivals. Poland represents a very dangerous opponent, as are France and Slovenia. We will think one step at a time focusing first of all on our game”.
You have a few days off. Even a tireless like Balaso “the car” has to stop to let the engine cool down.
“In fact, it is an intense summer of work, a period to spend time with the family is pure gold. Already on 4 August I will start the process of approaching the European Championship with the national team, in the second part of the month we will participate in the Wagner Tournament in Poland, then we will dive into the continental competition at home. It didn’t end there. Immediately after there will be the Olympic Qualifications and we will have to be ready. Only a few days before the start of the 2023/24 Regular Season will I be able to train with my Lube teammates”.
Given your commitments, the SuperLega seems very far away, but the roster and calendar are known. Can we already hypothesize a grid based on the values?
“I think Perugia is one of the favorites thanks to the almost unchanged structure. It comes naturally to me to say that Civitanova, Modena and Trento will be the protagonists. Watch out for emerging! Since last year we have seen the growth of other rivals. Also in the coming season all the matches will be tough!”.
In Civitanova in reception you will have the support of Ivan Zaytsev as in the Play Offs.
“A move that will give the team more balance, we got a taste of it in the Scudetto fight. His offensive shots have made the Tsar popular all over the world, but there is much more to Ivan’s technical background. With his experience it will be easier to give playable balls to Luciano De Cecco and given our range of forwards there will be positive effects in the game”.
A further rejuvenated Lube awaits you.
“Now I’m among the ‘old’. For me it is a pleasure to work with so many quality young people in the context of a clear and interesting project. I find it nice and stimulating to remain competitive with various emerging players with excellent potential and already able to assert themselves on these stages, as happened in the last championship!”.
