Team Italy U18 Women's European Softball Championship roster unveiled
After final practices and exhibition games in Ronchi dei Legionari from July 23-28, 2023, the Team Italy U18 women's softball squad departs for the European Softball Championship in Prague, Czech Republic. Manager Andrea Longagnani said, "We always aim for the gold as we are not interested in other colors."
Team Italy U18 softball manager Andrea Longagnani gathers his young and talented squad for one final stop in Ronchi dei Legionari from July 23-28, 2023 to prepare for the U18 European Softball Championship in Prague, Czech Republic, where 21 other national teams vie for the Euro throne.
"Mission Prague", which started in January and continued in February with a series of physical tests, will come to life again with a sense of urgency on Sunday, July 23, 2023, when the Azzurrine will reach the training camp in Ronchi dei Legionari and play doubleheaders against the Czech Republic on the following two days.
Team Italy U18 softball manager Andrea Longagnani said, "When we talk about the national team, we are talking about many athletes who all come from different teams. Therefore, the game modules must be assimilated. We'll have sessions aimed at getting the girls to assimilate the game module we want to undertake. Certainly one aspect to take care of is the possibility of playing small ball because it can be a weapon that we can use in the last part of the Euro Championship. We must have weapons in our arsenal, and this is an aspect that we will take care of a lot. Obviously we mustn't forget the competitive part, so in the morning we'll carry out technical and tactical sessions, while we'll dedicate the afternoon to exhibition games." Training will continue through Friday, July 28, 2023 before departing later that night for Prague.
In the 2023 U18 European Softball Championship, Team Italy is in Group B along with Ukraine, Sweden, Denmark and Slovakia.
Group A: Czech Republic, Poland, Croatia, Israel, Greece
Group C: Kingdom of the Netherlands, France, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Lithuania
Group D: Spain, Germany, Ireland, Great Britain, Finland, Hungary
Having won the bronze medal in the 2022 U18 European Softball Championship, Team Italy manager Andrea Longagnani is not satisfied with last year's results. He said, "When we compete, we always aim for gold as we are not interested in other colors. We have a team that really has potential. We'll have to pay attention to the pitching rotation and manage the pitchers effectively in order to get the best results considering the number of games played. It's usually very hot in the Czech Republic at this time of the year, so we'll be careful to rotate all the players we have available as well. We are lucky enough to have many players that can play multiple positions so we have versatility and more options at our disposal."
The U18 Women's European Softball Championship in Prague takes place on the diamonds of Joudrs Prague and Spectrum Prague from July 30-August 5, 2023. Team Italy makes its 2023 Euro debut on Sunday, July 30, 2023 at 10 am (local time) on the Spectrum field against Slovakia. The Italians play Ukraine on the Swoboda main field on Monday, July 31, 2023 at 3:45 pm (local time). Team Italy returns to the Spectrum field on Tuesday, August 1, 2023 at 9 am (local time) for a game against Denmark before closing out Group B action later that day at 6 pm (local time) on the Swoboda main field against Sweden.
The following players have been selected to represent Team Italy:
Last Name
First Name
Position
B
T
Date of Birth
Club Affiliation
1
Albertin
Chiara
C/3B
R
R
15/12/2005
U.S. Giovanili Collecchio Soft. A.S.D.
2
Aroldi
Silvia
P
R
R
14/02/2005
U.S. Giovanili Collecchio Soft. A.S.D.
3
Bernardi
Livia
P/SS
R
R
13/11/2005
Rovigo Softball Club
4
Binetti
Caterina
3B/2B
R
R
07/01/2006
Bollate Softball 1969 A.S.D.
5
Cortesi
Noemi
SS
R
R
03/07/2007
Forli Softball Club
6
Desii
Sara
P
L
L
09/07/2005
Pianoro Softball Club
7
Di Lauro
Chiara
P/2B
R
R
02/10/2006
Bollate Softball 1969 A.S.D.
8
Di Pancrazio
Felicia
OF
L
R
27/09/2006
Pianoro Softball Club
9
Manera
Delia
P/SS
R
R
14/06/2005
Bollate Softball 1969 A.S.D.
10
Moggi
Sveva
OF
L
R
17/08/2007
Pianoro Softball Club
11
Moretti
Lucrezia
P/OF
R
R
04/03/2005
Old Parma
12
Polini
Lucia
C/OF
R
R
03/10/2007
Bollate Softball 1969 A.S.D.
13
Silvoni
Anita
3B/1B
R
R
05/08/2006
Rovigo Softball Club
14
Spiotta
Alice
2B/3B/OF
R
R
18/10/2005
Forli Softball Club
15
Villa
Carlotta Maria
1B/OF
L
L
01/12/2006
Milano 1946 A.S.D
16
Zenari
Giorgia
C/3B
R
R
06/03/2006
Old Parma
RESERVES AT HOME
Franzoni
Silvia Daniela
1B, C
2005
Bollate Softball 1969 A. S. D.
Milano
Kylie
P/1B
2007
Forlì Softball Club
Team Italy U18 softball manager Andrea Longagnani will be assisted by coaches Paola Marfoglia, Simona Nava, Sara Dall'Alpi and Becky Blatnik, team physician Dr. Simone Crotta, physiotherapist Marta Cioni and delegation manager Bruno Gasparotto.
