He loves beach volleyball more.
Sadly, he could not commit to being a full time beach volleyball player because of sponsorship problems.
Matteo who now plays with Matteo Cecchini tells cev.lu:
“It is very difficult to play Beach Volleyball full time. We are still searching for sponsors that would help us develop ourselves and get more competitive. However, it is not that easy to find resources in Italy where Beach Volleyball does not attract as many sponsors and as much money like in other countries, for instance Brazil or some others. My long-time dream would be to make the Olympics, but it is still a very long way to Rio 2016.”
He adds…
“I started playing Beach Volleyball in 2010, actually more for fun. One year later I played at the World Championship in Rome. That was another very good moment in my career though I was not really happy for I was playing in defence. It was somehow something against my nature; I remember that my partner back then, Paolo Nicolai, went to block at the net and I was willing to do the same. So that partnership simply could not work.”
As for one of the best and most memorable volleyball moments in his life, the 27 year old picks the 2008 Olympics.
“Well, I still get goose-bumps if I only think about my Olympic experience in Beijing. I could not sleep at all the night before the semi-final match with Brazil, that much was the tension and pressure I felt at that time. I ended up feeling that sleepless night during the match which we eventually lost. The Olympics still are the greatest experience iny my life.”
As for his future in indoor volleyball, the Italian hottie is still looking for a team to play for this coming season. This past season, he signed on to play for Russian club team Zenit Kazan but got injured then returned to Italy. He joined Macerata but he didn’t want to be a bench player so he moved to the French League and played for Montpellier Volley.
In all fairness to Matteo, it’s really hard to find sponsors nowadays. You have to be the BEST to attract companies to fund your beach volleyball career.
(image: FIVB)
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