The new European club champion recalled the hot Brazilian note in its history
Six years after the last time, the center of the "Trentino Volley" net will once again be colored in green and gold, as has often happened in the past (both near and far). The transfer of Flavio Gualberto, officially announced today, connects the threads of a very solid and important link between the club in Via Brennero and Brazil, not only considering the position of the middle blockers on the court. In the first twenty-four years of the club's men's division history, seven players from the largest country in South America have worn the magnetic "yellow-blue" jersey.
Below is their profile in chronological order, with information from Trento's official websitetrentinovolley.it.:
ANDRÉ HELLER (middle blocker, from season 2004/05 to season 2006/07 – 62 appearances, 884 points):Having started his career at "Novo Hamburgo", he was the absolute first Brazilian to arrive in Trento, doing so with his Olympic gold medal around his neck, won a few weeks earlier in Athens 2004. Heller quickly became one of the favorites of the Trentino public thanks to his great class and exceptional South American charisma, which managed to ignite the crowd after every point he scored. He was among the main protagonists in the great performance during the 2005/06 season (playoff semi-final in the championship and Coppa Italia), excelling above all in attack, thanks to the perfect understanding quickly built first with Tofoli and then with Meoni. In 2006, during his two-year stay in Trento, Heller also became a world champion with Brazil.
ANDRÉ NASCIMENTO (opposite, seasons 2005/06, 2005/06 – 64 appearances, 1062 points):The left-hander from "São João de Meriti" was appreciated for his very quick and technical hand, which, especially during his first season, helped the team achieve previously unattainable goals (League playoff semi-final and Coppa Italia semi-final). Nascimento's teamwork with setter Meoni was established within a few days and proved to be one of the winning weapons for that period. In 2006, during his two-year stay in Trento, the left-handed opposite also, along with Heller, became a world champion with his Brazil.
LEANDRO VISOTTO (opposite, seasons 2008/09, 2009/10 – 90 matches, 1362 points):The exceptionally tall (214 cm!) player, originally from São Paulo, arrived in Trento to replace Nikolov and demonstrated much of his great potential – becoming the top scorer in winning the first Champions League (2009 in Prague), as well as the second (2010 in Łódź), but also the first successes in the Coppa Italia (2010, MVP in Montecatini Terme) and the Club World Championship (2009 in Doha).
GARCIA PIRES RIBEIRO RIAD (middle blocker, from season 2008/09 to season 2010/11 – 70 appearances, 384 points):The "Carioca" (originally from Rio de Janeiro) arrived in Trento to be an adequate alternative at position 3, especially in international matches (Champions League and Club World Championship), and he performed perfectly, making the most of his impressive physique, with which he attacked and blocked. In the Italian championship, however, he received less playing time, being a "victim" of the rule limiting the number of four foreigners to be used in the squad.
RAPHAEL VIEIRA DE OLIVEIRA (setter, from season 2009/10 to season 2012/13 – 182 matches, 300 points):Hailing from "São João del Rei", he was among the most beloved and important players for the series of victories with which "Trentino Volley" surged ahead between 2009 and 2013 (4 Club World Championships, 2 Champions Leagues, 2 League titles, 3 Coppa Italia, 1 Supercoppa Italiana). Arriving from "Vibo Valentia" to replace Nikola Grbić – an extremely difficult and responsible task, Raphael immediately found the right "language" with his teammates and found himself in an environment, becoming an absolute reference point and a leader with a smile always on his face. In his four years with the "yellow-blues", the setter also had to deal with two serious hand injuries, which prevented him from enjoying the Champions League victories in 2010 and the Scudetto in 2013. He also captained a match in the 2011/12 season.
EDER CARBONERA (middle blocker, season 2017/18 – 48 appearances, 363 points):The player born in Farroupilha spent only one season in Trento, which started with some difficulties but then ended on a high level. He was a guarantee of high discipline and managed to be appreciated for his great personal qualities. Eder was the last Brazilian middle blocker to wear the Trento jersey before our new signing Flavio Gualberto.
RICARDO LUCARELLI (outside hitter, season 2020/21 – 44 appearances, 483 points):The "Hammer" of "Contagem" arrived in Trento as a transfer coup from the summer of 2020, which was marked by the lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic, so the "yellow-blue" public never got to see him live. In his only season in Trento, he demonstrated his full value, helping to lead the team to the Champions League final, which they then lost 1:3 in Verona against ZAKSA.
