Piccoli teaches soccer and school

PICCOLI What does academic performance have to do with athletic performance? In physical education, yes, but not only… The president of Mantova Filippo Piccoli, during the Christmas party, made a historic decision: «Those who don't do well at school don't play on my team!». When he arrived, in 2023, he noticed the exasperated rush, especially of parents, to get results, and that's it. Now, for those who fail in 2 subjects, and don't make up for it, no matches. ILLUMINATED

SAN MARINO The football team of the Republic of San Marino, beating Liechtenstein in Vaduz, obtained a historic first place in the "Cinderella" group. This victory allowed promotion to League C Uefa Nations League. The players are all amateurs, except Nicola Nanni, center forward of Torres in Serie C. San Marino plays its home games in a facility that seats just 4,900 spectators. TITANIC

SERGINHO Former Milan winger Serginho, who played for Milan for 9 seasons, experienced enormous pain this summer: losing his son Diego at just 20 years old. He said: «God and Milan give me the strength to move forward. I think that, in our lives, there is a plan from God for everything that happens to us. Human vision cannot understand it, but everyone has a mission. My son will give me the strength to do it as best as possible». BELIEVER

VOLANDRI The leader of the Italian national tennis team, winner of 2 consecutive Davis Cups, is Filippo Volandri, a former player who retired in 2016. The captain said: «We try to build great people, before great players». It is a statement that does him credit, but which is based on a fact. With the current leveling of values, in all sports, character often makes the difference, and character, without values, cannot be built. HUMAN

GARBIN As a coach, she won the Billie Jean King Cup, the tennis equivalent of the men's Davis Cup. Her name is Tathiana Garbin, and until 12 months ago, she was battling abdominal cancer. She is a former tennis player who rose to twenty-second place in the 2007 world rankings. She passed on her indomitable spirit to Paolini and the other girls, and will now calmly decide whether to continue her activity or not. FIGHTER

BARLAAM He is one of the most successful athletes of all time: the 24-year-old swimmer Simone Barlaam, born with "coxa vara and congenital hypoplasia of the right femur". His trophy cabinet includes 4 Paralympic gold medals and 19 world titles. He critically stated: "Sport helps you believe in yourself, but "pietistic" narratives are not good for our world. I have volunteered with the Franciscans, and I admire their love for others." CONCRETE

CLARK All of America cheers for Caitlin Clark, the extraordinary basketball player also crowned by the prestigious Time magazine. She is an athlete who descends from an Italian family, emigrated from Sicily, and is animated by a deep Catholic faith. She grew up in the church of St. Francis of Assisi in West Des Moines, and attended the parish's elementary schools. Then, in high school, Dowling Catholic High School. An example for everyone. INSPIRED


Carlo Nesti
NP January 2025