Women’s volleyball, San Marino Underr 18 in Malta for the European Championships

From Friday 14th to Sunday 16th April, the under 18 women’s national team will participate in the European Small Countries Association Championships in their category which will be held in Malta. In addition to San Marino, Luxembourg, Ireland, Northern Ireland and the host Malta participate. It is played in a single Italian round. San Marino will face Luxembourg on Friday 14 at 17.30; Northern Ireland Saturday 15 to 10; Malta always on Saturday at 8pm and finally Ireland on Sunday 16th at 10am.

We asked coach Cristiano Lucchi what the objectives of this away match are. “The goal is to make this group of players grow, which includes many under 16s. – Lucchi replies – It’s an important moment for them because they’ve never had the experience of the national team. It is also a reward for their commitment in training and in the various championships in which they participate. The idea is to create the right enthusiasm in them and it is known that they have a great desire to live this experience. I carry 12 with me but there are at least 5/6 other girls who are doing this journey in our youth teams who deserved to be called up. Everyone will have their chance because between now and 2025 we will participate in other tournaments and competitions. The goal is to arrive at the Games of the Small States of Andorra 2025 with a group that is as ready and experienced as possible. This in Malta is a passing stage. We don’t know the other under 18 teams because we’ve never played against them but the important thing is that we look “on this side of the net”, that is, at our game and that, during the match, we learn to think about the tactical choices to make”.

These are the twelve players called up by coach Lucchi: Camilla Casadei and Matilde Stefanelli (setter); Rosa Muccioli, Eleonora Ugolini, Giorgia Guerra (central); Margherita Grossi (free); Aurora Lazzari, Stella Tassi, Julia Zanotti, Giada Colombari, Alice Pedrelli, Allegra Gobbi (spinners).