Gabriele - The Free Kick Challenge Winner Tells All

• Posted by: admin
• On: 07/01/2008 20:30:22
• In: Press Releases

Gabriele was interviewed by Benjamin Kulhoff of Bolzen-Online. 

Gabriele, can you give us a short abstract of your life? Where are you from? How old are you? What do you do in your free time?

I am from Italy; I leave in Arezzo, in Tuscany. I am 17 years old high school student. My favorite activities are to play piano and play soccer. I have been playing classic piano for 6 years -I am currently it the 6th level of the National Music Conservatory. I also have been playing soccer since I am 7 years old. In my free time I like to go out with my friends around my city, listen to music and read.

Do you play soccer? In which team and league do you play?

I have been playing soccer since I am 7 years old. I started in the provincial league, then I went to the regional league, and since 2007 I am playing in the national league.

Are you known as a free kick specialist in your team?

I am one of  the 3  players who take the foul. 

Do you do a special freekick training?

No, we do not have that type of training in my team. But I like to practice kicks by myself. 

What are you doing in the USA right now?

I came to spend my summer vacation with my family. I have my aunt, uncle and 2 cousins in Houston. I decided to come to USA for 3 months to visit the country, learn English and have fun. 

How did you get the information about the tryout for the Freekickmasters?

My cousins play soccer and they got the advertisement about the try outs through their league. My aunt asked me if I wanted to go with them. We all 3 tried. 

How many opponents did you have to defeat in the tryout?

I do not know, I think maybe around 100…I got in the top 30 and then I made it. 

What was the thing you thought about first, when you realized that you start at freekickmasters?

I thought it was not that easy to make all the kicks 

Now you have the chance to compete against you favourite player Del Piero? What does it mean for you?

It means that I can play against my favorite player. I will be able to see how he kicks. I consider him the master of free kicks. 

You strike freekicks against world-class players. What is your aim for the tournament?

I would like to learn from all the players. I want to have fun and to meet my idols.  

How are you going to prepare yourself for the final tournament on 5th July?

I am practicing everyday; I am trying to get in my best shape to be ready to do my best that day. 

Against which goalie do you like to score most during the freekickmasters?

I would like to score more goals against Toldo, because he is a great goalkeeper and because he is Italian.  

If you have one dream for the final tournament, what shoul happen?

I wish I will not be the last. I hope I can score one or more goals. 

Can you describe the way you kick freekicks? Is there a special training you had before?

At that moment I try to concentrate and I try to imagine that there is no body else around except me and the goalkeeper. Then I find a fixed point and try to get it. 

Do you think Italy needs better freekickers to have a chance at the next EURO?

There are a lot young players in the Italian league who are very good in free kicks. I think they will be the next generation for the free kick master and for the Euro Cup.

Thanks