Domotek Volley continues to make history in Reggio Calabria. After winning the Del Monte Supercoppa in Serie A3, coach Antonio Polimeni is enjoying yet another success, but he’s already keeping his eyes firmly fixed on the future. The team is known as the “King of the Cup,” but the team’s hunger is far from sated. “Oh, let’s hope so,” Polimeni begins with a smile. “I hope they call me the ‘king of clubs’ at the end. I really want the three,” the coach jokes, before giving way to genuine emotions.
The ‘Super Cup’? Absolutely, it was a wonderful feeling, another amazing feeling to be able to bring home this other trophy,” he says. “And even more difficult because it took place at home in Reggio Emilia, where we know well how the last matches have gone. We faced a very strong team that played at 1000. On the other hand, they faced a real team, ours, that with all its players demonstrated its value.”
The secret to getting back on track? The ability to push each other: “We need to be the driving force during matches. When that happens, it’s hard for anyone to beat us. We proved we’re not an easy team to beat.”
The highlight of the match: the fourth set loss and the fear of reliving the ghosts of the past. What happened at 2-2? “We coaches also thrive on feedback. This team, when it takes the court with the consistency that characterizes important matches, rarely loses its lead because it has such strong momentum.”
Even in the fifth set, there was never a feeling of defeat: “I was sure we would take the court even more aggressive, frustrated by how the fourth set ended. The boys have incredible mental strength. In the tiebreak, believe me, I never had any doubts that we could win. After all, if the coach isn’t convinced, the players can’t be. And this time I wasn’t faking it.”
Polimeni also emphasizes the climate of mutual respect that prevailed: “We often talk about differentiated autonomy, differences between north and south. Anyone who watched this match saw a climate of brotherhood, an epic exchange, a storytelling between Reggio Emilia and Reggio Calabria. Respect between the two coaching staffs, between the two captains, between all the players. A real advert for all of Italian volleyball.” “But this is volleyball,” he adds, “this is what sport should be.”
