Luciano Vicentin Ready to Shine for VfB Friedrichshafen in the CEV Champions League Volley

During his first year in Friedrichshafen he started as third outside hitter of the team. His chances of playing were given, but undoubtedly not very high, at least not for the most important games. But due to several injuries on the team,  he quickly got the chance to prove his value for the club.

From playing in the Polish second division, to becoming a superstar of the German Bundesliga, presenting himself internationally in Champions League, scoring the last point at the German cup final, carrying his team through the Bundesliga playoffs, winning the hearts of the fans and actual prizes such as the „Rookie of the Year“ Award- all within just one season.

The 22 year old seems to know only one direction- up.

Of course this hasn’t gone by unnoticed. The Argentinian Volleyball Federation decided to invite him, not only for the Volleyball Nations League, but also for the World Championships, during the summer.

Now with the first Champions League game coming closer, Luciano and his team will be facing a new challenge.

As Luciano got ready to fly back to Argentina he only tilted his head when being asked if he was “excited for summer“. “Which summer?“ used to be his reply. In Argentina winter was coming as we were waiting for summer to arrive. “I’m always at the wrong hemisphere to the wrong time“ he continues laughing drily.

Little did he know that summer would go differently than he had planned, that he would neither spend as much time as expected on Argentinian ground nor in the southern hemisphere.

But even after playing at the VNL and the World Championships there were no breaks given to the 1,99m tall outside hitter. While most of the VfB Friedrichshafen players were in Germany, preparing themselves for the start of the new season already, Luciano was needed elsewhere. In September the Pan American Qualifiers took place in Southern America.

Although he and the Argentinian U23 Team lost the final in five sets against Chile, they successfully qualified for the Pan American Championships.  “Of course it hurts to lose a final. Especially one that’s as close as this one was.“, he admits. “But this does not change the way I feel about my team at all. I am incredibly proud.“

He can rightly be incredibly proud of the team’s result, but also of himself. The goal to work on himself and improve during “off season“ was definitely achieved.

Back in Friedrichshafen, there is no such thing as „laying back“. After just 72 hours in Germany he was in his new jersey, providing the audience with some severe highlights at the Bounce House Cup.

Despite losing the final against the Berlin Recycling Volleys, Luciano presents himself with confidence. He reminds all those who are already starting to doubt Friedrichshafen that there is more to a team than one lost game.

In his opinion this season’s roster promises a young, dynamic team studded with some more experienced players and all in all great potential.

So far he has proved to be right. Three out of four games were won this season, including in the German Cup, the only loss coming to the defending champions from Berlin in the opening game of the Bundesliga season.

Luciano is determined to continue this winning streak throughout the 4th Round of CEV Champions League. “I am thrilled for the first game against Montpellier. We will be playing in Ulm one last time, I made some great memories here and I want to give the spectators the show they deserve. Better believe that I will use any given chance to present myself to the best of my abilities. It might not be summer but trust me it will get heated“, he states with a wide grin on his face.