After the dismissal of the historic coach, it’s up to the 55 -year -old Bulgarian. Watchword, renewal (and discontinuity) compared to the last four years
From the spotlight of the Paris games to the clouds of Desio, in Brianza. The butterflies of the Italian rhythmic – much more than a team, now almost a brand – since yesterday have a new coach, the 55 -year -old Bulgarian Mariela Pashalieva. To present it to the group of athletes present in the academy, the federal president Andrea Facci, who has also been interim technical director of the small tools, since he took office on March 1st. Word of order, renewal (and discontinuity) compared to the last four years, historically the most winning of the tricolor gymnastics thanks also to the individualist Sofia Raffaeli, but halfway marked by the scandal of the alleged abuses that led to the investigations of the Monza prosecutor’s office and the dismissal of Emanuela Maccarani after thirty years of competitive management of success: one silver and three bronzes from the Olympic bronzes from 2004 to 2024, as well as numerous world podiums. Pashalieva brings other qualities to the dowry, in the environment is known as a professional calm and with great humanity: “I am very happy to start this adventure full of joy, of new and beautiful things, as well as impatient to start working with these wonderful gymnasts. It is not just a pleasure to be here but an honor. For me – added the Bulgarian technique – Italy has always been a school of reference in my career, The movement of international rhythm “.
experience
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In his career, Pashalieva was for seven years assistant of the Iliana Raeva legend by participating in two Olympics with Bulgaria, before trying the adventure as head coach with Switzerland. A risk: the Swiss team was in a hurry to get out of a large scandal of abuse and harassment that took place in the Federal Center of Macolin and its task was mostly to report some normalcy in the environment. To convince the athletes to trust her, the first day presented herself in the gym with a box of chocolates, offering them to all. But then that group did not qualify for the subsequent Rio 2016 games and Pashalieva was removed due to lack of results. Since then, while remaining in Switzerland, he had mainly dealt with artistic gymnastics, up to the call of Italy. The situation is similar, with the investigations still in progress and others that could open up, while the Bulgarian coach will have the task of confirming the blue in the European elite already from the next continental championships of Tallin, Estonia, on 4-8 June.
squad
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He will have to try to do it with a very young team, which counts inside only one of the bronze medals at the last Paris Olympics, the 22 -year -old Laura Paris, given that Martina Centofanti and Daniela Mogueran announced their retirement at the end of last week, talking about “Cracked Project”. The others: Chiara Badii, Sofia Sicignano, Laura Golfarelli, Alexandra Naclerio, Serena Ottaviani, Giulia Segatori (who turned 21 yesterday), Lorjen D’Ambrogio and Allegra Jakic (injured) have little experience, but a great desire to emerge. Starting with today’s technical checks, which could establish hierarchies and the possible need for new grafts.
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