Paris 2024 Olympics, Fabio Balaso with France fearlessly
The words of Fabio Balaso
Semi-final eve in the Olympic tournament for the Men’s National Team, which will face the hosts France tomorrow at 8 pm (live TV Rai 2, Eurosport and DAZN) the hosts France. As is well known, the tricolor formation has achieved this goal for the eighth time in its history; a goal strongly desired by a young group that in the space of three years has already collected a rainbow title, a continental title and again a silver medal at last year’s European Championships held precisely in Italy.
On the’other side of the net De Giorgi’s men will find the Transalpinians, reigning Olympians and winners of the Volleyball Nations League 2024; in short, an opponent that needs little introduction and will have the home crowd on its side. By the way, the Azzurri have already faced Giani’s men twice in the season precisely in the Volleyball Nations League collecting two defeats on tie-break (in Ottawa on June 5 and in Lodz on June 28 in the Finals).
The Olympic tournament, però, è a sé story and all the matches played so far have shown great balance with the teams providing an extraordinary show. Among the protagonists of the good blue path there’è, without a shadow of a doubt the libero Fabio Balaso who &expressed himself as follows: "After yesterday’s victory certainly in the group we feel some positive feelings, becauseé anyway we did a feat, first managing to bring the match back on our side and then getting the qualification to the semifinals. It was something incredible. My congratulations also go to Japan because they played great volleyball. Decisive è was our will to go ahead in the tournament, thanks to which we never gave up, even when they were ahead by a few points. In this way we managed to get a crucial success".
Balaso then goes on to talk about his feelings: “For me this is the first Olympics and of course some’ tension and agitation were felt. Knowing how to handle them forò is part of our job, you have to try to stay calm as much as possible. Every player has to deal with his technical and emotional side, in these events è then it is very important to be mentally” prepared.
The Azzurri libero turns his gaze to the opponents: “I certainly don't have to introduce France, surely we will be expecting another battle. They are the hosts, they won the Olympics three years ago, so they will want to defend their title in front of their own public at all costs. Like us, they are also coming from a quarterfinal that they overcame in a comeback 3-2 and this, I think, will have galvanized them even more. Compared to Japan, the French are a more physical team. Good technically, too, forò, with more power and so it will be a whole other competition to study and prepare in the best way".
Last thought è on the group of which he is a part and which is doing great things: “Ours è a young group with sì many rookies at the’Olympics, but which has all the cards to show what it is worth, despite not having much experience in international events. The’goal è is to continue working in this way and try to get as far ahead as possible, it would mean having confirmed ourselves one’more time. A strength of our team è the compactness of the group on the court, and I think it showed very well yesterday, but also outside the gym."
