Luciano de Cecco on The Ace Space Podcast
Following his sides first tournament where Cucine Lube CIVITANOVA beat Sir Sicoma Monini PERUGIA and TOURS VB (Arkas IZMIR were unable to travel), Argentinian star setter joined Dave and Ci on The Ace Space Podcast to talk about anything and everything, whilst also answering some questions from fans. Here are some of his top quotes from the conversation.
On playing in tournaments this season"All of my friends were telling me...oh, you're going to play like in the NBA (tournament bubble). Everyone knows the situation but we tried to focus, the team played really good. In our first game, against Perugia, we played at a very high level, I think the best game of the season so far, we are happy. Unfortunately, Izmir was not able to attend, but for now we are happy and we try for the next tournament to do the same."
On being on the other side of the net to Perugia in the CL“Everyone in the last weeks asks me the same, if I feel something for Perugia. Yeah I play six and a half seasons there, I live in Perugia, I buy my home in Perugia, I marry in Perugia. Outside the court Perugia is my home my place. I have a lot of friends and ex-teammates. I speak in the hotel or with the cell phone, not every day but every week. But this feel stays outside of the stadium. I go to play and win for my team, my new club.”
On his team at Lube“Yep [it is a serious team]. First of all we speak Spanish in the court, this is positive. I think Juantorena, Leal Simon do not know their presentation. They play a really high level for 5, 6 years. For me I am learning to be close to these guys.”
On following Bruno“Bruno won everything here; the Champions League, the World Championships for Clubs, the Italian Championship the so for me it is a challenge. To play with these guys is easy, but at the same time it is more responsibility. I want to improve my brain and capacity for playing.”
On becoming Vegan 1 and a half years ago“I spoke to my wife one night and said I want to try something different. Before when I saw rice, veggies or meat I would go with the meat or the rice. But I am curious a lot, and I said I will try to be different. It’s really good to be vegan, for me, for my body, for my strength. Maybe before I was a little bit fat but now I feel really good.”
On who is the Maradona of Volleyball"I have two names, but in different perspectives. My first choice is Papi, he changed Volleyball in the new era. Or some Brazillian player, like Giba. If you see him it is like the star of a movie. I am in the middle."
I used to play Basketball and Volleyball. Then I was told by my first coach that I could play Volleyball at a high level but I needed to choose the setter position, and I said "Oh no, it is the most boring position in Volleyball!" So every training for setting he tried to adapt my Basketball philosophy to Volleyball. Now for me it is the best and most fun position in the world!"
On how he became a Setter