Roberto Santilli
Mister Santilli, what was your first reaction when you received a call from an Australian Volleyball Federation?
„We had an interesting conversation. I was coaching in Italy, Poland and Russia and I have the experience from the best European leagues and with the best players. So, it was very usefull for me, but Australia is a very different country. They have a very different program and I have to deal with a very different mentality. They approach problems in a different way then the rest of the world, with a big rationality. When I started there, the Committee was made by experts from all the disciplines and from several different federations, but they were not specialized in volleyball. It is a big country with a very big population and if you consider the number of citizens, they have 20 milion and the number of medals that they win and compare it, you will see that Australia is always among the top 3 world countries.“
What is the goal of Australian NT until the end of the 2015 World league?
„We have to consider the general goal at this time. When we started the World League we had to renounce two or three important players and we started the competition with a very young team, with players who are 20, 21, 22 years old. This is a group with which we will work in the qualifications for the Olympics. So, for this group, the World League is something really important, because for the most of them it is the first big competition on a high level. For us, there is a big difference when we play home and away because traveling from Australia is not so easy. We will be better with Thomas Edgar, our best scorer, and hopefully we will be more competitive againts Brazil and italy than against Serbia.“
Since you were appointed as a head coach, did you have a chance to see some games and players in Australia?
„Actually, we don’t have a league in Australia, that’s the point. That’s why at the beginning I was watching all the players that we have. I was watching 38 players which are playing in 18 different countries. This was a big job for me to see them by video, live, by scouting and then at the end we composed a group, a team with very young guys. And we are happy how we work. We are improving a lot. This is a young group and we have to give them a chance.“
Is it better for Australian players to play in Europe?
„Apsolutelly! The most of the players that you have seen so far play in Europe. For example – the middle blockers, one plays in Germany and one in Finland, the libero is in Finland… When a player makes a mistake during a game at the age of 24, 25 it makes a big difference if he plays abroad. Take a look how our opponents react when they make a mistake. It comes from an experience which they gain while playing on a high level. So, if they want to be consistent, they have to play abroad.“
Your last club was Polish MKS Banimex Będzin. Do you miss working in a club?
„No, it was apsolutely my choice! When Australia called me, I decided to leave the club and to dedicate my time to Australia until Rio Olympics and to try to qualify with this group of guys . I repeat, there are so many young guys, two of them are 19 years old. So, I have to find the way to fit them into the team.“
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Good coach,he will gain a succes with his national team !