Civitanova restarts with Ivan Zaytsev and four others

Civitanova with Ivan Zaytsev

Cucine Lube Civitanova is preparing to return to the gym on a reduced roster ahead of the 2022/23 season. Following the staff summit scheduled for Wednesday, August 17, on the morning of Thursday, August 18, an initial group of the Italian champions will meet at the palas to receive technical equipment and conduct routine medical examinations. In the afternoon, the members will break the ice with activities in the weight room. Five members of the roster will be present at Thursday’s gathering: libero Francesco D’Amico, middle blocker Enrico Diamantini, setter Mattia Gottardo, setter Daniele Sottile and opposite blocker Ivan Zaytsev.

“In the last week of August the Puerto Rican opposite Gabi Garcia Fernandez will also join the group – anticipates team manager Matteo Carancini – the Puerto Rican is back from training with the U.S. national team. In the first days of September we might have available Brazilian center Isac Viana Santos, who will not take part in the World Cup to be at the top with Lube.”

Following that, depending on the path in the World Championship with their respective selections, Argentine setter and new Lube captain Luciano De Cecco, French center Barthelemy Chinenyeze, Cuban setter Marlon Yant and the three Azzurri, namely center Simone Anzani, libero Fabio Balaso and setter Mattia Bottolo, will be available. Lateral Aleksandar Nikolov will be the last to join the group because he will participate with Bulgaria in the World Senior Championships and the European Youth Championships.

“The roster includes some new faces,” Carancini recalls, “Lube’s veterans will play a crucial role in training our young talent. We have rejuvenated the team by including some players who, in spite of their identity cards, already boast important experience even at the international level, know how to win and have a good foundation from the mental point of view. Obviously, this new group will need a break-in period!”