After an unsatisfactory performance in the FIFA Beach Soccer Qualifier, Italy seems back on track. A wonderful performance in the EBSL Superfinal, where they ended in the second place behind Portugal confirmed it. Massimiliano Esposito has given the Azzurri a new air, making the team get their breed and intensity back. Carlo Tavecchio, president of the Lega Nazionalle Dilettanti, feels they have hit the nail in the head with the former player appointment as new National coach. In an interview to BSWW, the head of the Italian Beach Soccer talks about this new stage for the Azzurri, the Italian model, and the future plan of the LND regarding the sport, among many other things…
-Italy has begun a new path, with Esposito on command. How do you see the team now?
First of all, I have to admit that I am happy for the choice we made when absolutely trusting him for the leadership of the Italian national team. So far, Esposito has shown great enthusiasm and professionalism in the direction of the team, particularly after seeing his wonderful relationship to the group. I think that it was the best choice we could make regarding a new project aimed at achieving important goals and affirmation, both in Europe and the rest of the world.
-You happened to witness all Italian games in the Euro Beach Soccer Superfinal, in Lisbon. What feelings did the Italian performance leave into you?
That second place in the European finals was absolutely great news. The team played always with commitment and determination, earning the appreciation of all the other squads and federations involved in the competition, what makes us feel really proud of. It is great to have redeemed after a not too happy period for our national team. At the same time, these great performance and these positive sensations confirm the strong effort made by the Lega Nazionale Dilettanti for the growth and development of beach soccer.
-How important is Beach Soccer for such a long-history federation as the FIGC?
The FIGC has always supported and trusted Beach Soccer. Since the impulse of the LND in 2004, the Italian Football Federation has embraced this new discipline with great enthusiasm by investing important resources for the organization of national and international events. This flowering allowed to cover a space gap, summer, in which there was no football activity at neither professional nor amateur sphere. And, after some years, the importance of beach soccer has significantly grown in Italy, with the success of the national team as a valuable source.
-The Italian National Football Team is indisputably one of the best teams in the World, with four World Cups in their record. Where would you place the Italian Beach Soccer team, regarding their success so far and their potential?
Winning the European championship in 2005 and the second place at the World Cup 2008 led our national side to a prominent role both in Italy and worldwide. We were the youngest of the National squads, but we managed a great triumph though.
-Which is the future of Beach Soccer in Italy?
The future cannot be other than to keep working hard. We will keep on promoting, especially from the youth categories, and organizing the National League, that several experts consider the most beautiful and best organized in the world. Without forgetting the spirit of healthy entertainment Beach Soccer is about, our clubs involve the best beachers year after year, and this necessarily increases the value of the Italian beach soccer, regarding both our visibility worldwide and the improvement and growth of our players.
-How does FIGC empower beach soccer among new generations?
Besides organizing national and international activities, we put a great stress on the young categories. With this goal in our minds, we set the Academy into motion at the Italian beaches, so as to teach children the techniques and rules of beach soccer. At the same time, we cannot forget that good results of our National team are obviously the best tool to introduce people to the sport, so they are important for us as well.
