The Italian national team will start its journey to Qatar from Sardinia.
The first part of the Italians’ preparations for the upcoming challenges in January and February (European Championships in Zagreb and Dubrovnik and the World Championships in Doha) will take place in Cagliari from 14 to 22 December.
The last round of the Italian League in 2023 will be played on December 12. Two days after, 19 players called up by head coach Alessandro Campagna will gather in Cagliari.
Campagna picked all 15 players who participated in the World Championships in Fukuoka, then Alessandro Velotto (Marseille), young Brescia’s left-hander Tomasso Gianazza, his teammate Jacopo Alesiani and Novi Beograd’s goalkeeper Francesco De Michelis.
Four players from foreign clubs are on the roster, which wasn’t usual in the past years because almost all Italian aces played in Serie A1. Besides the mentioned Velotto and De Michelis, Ferencvaros’ duo – Edoardo Di Somma and Luca Damonte, is on the list.
During the preparations in Cagliari, “Settebello “will play at a four-nation tournament (December 19 -21). The Italians will host Montenegro, Australia, and France at the “Sardinia Cup”.
The players called up for the preparations
Goalkeepers: Marco Del Lungo (Pro Recco), Gianmarco Nicosia (Savona), Francesco De Michelis (Novi Beograd).
Field players: Jacopo Alesiani, Vincenzo Dolce, Tommaso Gianazza, Vincenzo Renzuto Iodice (all Brescia), Luca Damonte, Edoardo Di Somma (both Ferencvaros), Luca Marziali (Trieste), Giacomo Cannella, Francesco Condemi, Francesco Di Fulvio, Gonzalo Echenique, Andrea Fondelli, Matteo Iocchi Gratta, Nicholas Presciutti (all Pro Recco), Alessandro Velotto (Marseille), Lorenzo Bruni (Savona).
Italy will play in the group in Zagreb at the European Championships (January 4 – 16) with Hungary, Greece and Georgia. As for the World Championships in Doha (February 2 – 18), Hungary will again be Italy’s rival in the group, along with Kazakhstan and the third-qualified team from the European Championships.
