What until recently seemed unrealistic has become a fact. Paola Egonu will not take part in the qualifying tournament for the volleyball Olympics, which starts on September 16 in Lodz. The world volleyball star is in conflict with Italy coach Davide Mazzanti.
Officially, Paola Egono, at least that’s what the Italian federation’s statement says, has decided to take a break. However, it is no secret that there is a conflict in which Davide Mazzanti has long played a major role. Egonu is one of the few volleyball players who are not part of the Italian national team. And, according to many experts, it is possible.
Paola Egonu excluded from Olympic qualification
In the Italian national team, in addition to the famous striker, we will not see, among others, Monica De Gennaro, Cristina Ciricchelli and Caterina Bosetti. Cool players who have not found recognition in the eyes of the Italian coach in recent months. This group was joined by Egon, a reserve player of the recently concluded European Championship.
“After the end of the European Championship 2023, the Italian women’s team will have a few days off before a new meeting on September 9 in Cavalese to prepare for the Olympic qualifying tournament scheduled in Lodz. […] Davide Mazzanti has nominated fifteen volleyball players and from this group he will select fourteen for the tournament. Paola Egon is not in the squad. The player is strongly attached to the national colors, but after consulting with the president of the federation, she asked for a break in the games,” we read in a laconic statement posted on the website of the Italian volleyball headquarters.
We add that the Italians finished Euro 2023 in fourth place. It looks like Mazzanti’s rule is here to stay, and instead of getting better, the Italian national team is only plunging into an internal crisis from month to month.
When will the Polish team compete for the Olympic Games?
Qualifying tournament in Łódź (September 16-24) will be intense. The Poles returned to training on Monday, September 4, and came to the training camp in Spala. They will have less than two weeks to improve their form before the tournament in Lodz.
At the Atlas Arena, the Polish team will play a competition during which 28 matches will be played over nine days. In addition to the polka, teams from Italy, the USA, Germany, Thailand, Colombia, Korea and Slovenia will compete for two places at the Games.
Source: Wprost
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