Competing in both the in Friuli Venezia Giulia from June 27-July 3, 2021 and the in Fukushima and Yokohama from July 21-27, 2021, the Team Italy women's softball squad has a daunting task ahead. With coach turned manager Federico Pizzolini taking over for the late and great skipper Enrico Obletter, who recently passed away as a result of Covid-19, Team Italy is ready for the challenge to defend the European softball throne and to medal in the Tokyo Olympics.
Having already trained in Pescara, the Azzurre women's softball squad is now together again for a series of practices in Gradisca d'Isonzo and Ronchi dei Legionari through March 27, 2021. Before training began, Team Italy watched one of Enrico Obletter's , which was part of the . Federazione Italiana Baseball Softball (FIBS) President Andrea Marcon was next. The message was clear that the mission was two-fold: "First to win the European championship again, then a medal at the Olympics." FIBS Vice President Roberta Soldi, Federal Councilor Daniela Castellani, and FIBS General Secretary Giampiero Curti echoed the sentiment that Team Italy was in it to win it.
Coach Giovanna Palermi, widow of Enrico Obletter, listened attentively to Team Italy captain Erika Piancastelli deliver an inspirational speech before workouts. The Azzurre slugger said, "It's time to realize a dream. And if before our dream was the goal of playing to win a medal, now we have to make this dream come true, not only for us, but for Enrico." Forza #Italia! #PerEnrico
by Roberto Angotti
