De Gennaro: “A final against … my husband? It would be nice, he too deserves it”

In 2006 he made his debut in the blue jersey and since then the national team has no longer had problems to fill the free box. Monica De Gennaro is the number 1 in the world in her role and in Thailand it is one of the pillars of the Julio Velasco group who tries to end world abstinence: for women, gold has been missing for 23 years. Saturday to wait for the blue there will be the Brazil of the Gabi phenomenon.

De Gennaro, this national team is demonstrating an incredible character. How much is in the group of his strength?

“I think it is the sum of all the characters of each player, including the staff, who makes this national team has a strong character. We demonstrate it on the pitch. All we have a common goal”.

It is the fourth consecutive world championship. In the previous three she was there. What luggage is carrying from those experiences?

“Now I have a different maturity. I played my first world championship in 2014. It was a unique, all perfect experience. I think we made the last two by closing in 4th place”.

“It was totally different. It was a young team, with no expectation. Yet we did very well reaching the silver medal.”

“There we stopped in the semifinal with Brazil then coming to the bronze. We got a large medal after years, certainly not what we wanted”.

Can 2018 call it the year in which this group started to create?

“I think so. After 2014 they started creating the foundations for this team.”

Her husband Daniele Santarelli – world champion in 2022 with Serbia – is today the coach of Türkiye, who landed in the semifinal where he will find Japan. Would you like a final against him?

“Absolutely yes. I think it would be nice. Beyond the relationship that binds me to my husband, I think it is always nice to see Italians who are good. Maybe perhaps it also deserves it for what he won and for what he works. I am lucky enough to see him apply every day. And therefore I wish him to get to the final. I think if you deserve it.”

Velasco has often called him the best Italian coach. In your opinion, will the worthy successor be sooner or later?

“It’s not going to say it. The results speak for him.”

The victories with Velasco started in Bangkok: Nations League 2024 finals. And today you are again here.

“Who knows, will it mean that Thailand is in our destiny? In these two years we have expressed an excellent volleyball and we showed great things.”

“A little. It’s something that gives me security. I repeat gestures that help me psychologically enter the game I will have to face.”

“I always fit the left shoe first and then the right one.”

What did Velasco “gave” you in these two seasons of work together?

“Mental force. If we think we were the same team … his approach made the team make a shot forward”.

World gold has been missing since 2002. She was then 15 years old. What do you remember?

“I did not live it intensely. This reality was still very distant for me.”

Do you prefer to meet Brazil or France in the semifinal?

“They are two excellent teams with some common characteristics: they fight, they are aggressive and have so much stubbornness”.