B M – Giorgini Ottica Muri Antichi already working on the A2

Spinnicchia: “I thank everyone! Now I dream of Muri Antichi as the national youth team of eastern Sicily, the result of fruitful collaborations between clubs"

A dream season, one to remember. Giorgini Optical Muri Antichi succeeded in its aim of winning the Serie B championship and returning to the A2 series which so belongs to it and which saw Muri Antichi as a protagonist for several years. The choice, two years ago, to start again from Serie B to create an even more cohesive and united group meant that Giorgini could start again stronger than before, deservedly regaining Serie A.

President Luigi Spinnicchia, in light of the fantastic climb, retraces the most important moments of the season, sparing no thanks to the entire Muri Antichi family. He spoke 360°, showing no signs of stopping, on the contrary, revealing ambitions that are already renewed in the aftermath of the celebrations for the long-awaited promotion.

“We are archiving an extraordinary and unforgettable season – states president Luigi Spinnicchia proudly – these guys wrote one of the most beautiful pages in the history of our club and they did it on tiptoe, with the lights off, working day after day, helping each other and collaborating both in training and in matches. The result could only be that of an ever-growing team that in the end found itself reaching the goal naturally. We weren't the strongest but we became so thanks to their commitment, sense of belonging and obviously to the splendid staff who led them with our Aurelio Scebba in the lead. Maximum gratitude to Sascha Ferale, precious and competent athletic trainer, Riccardo Caltabiano heart of Muri Antichi as always and precious assistant coach and the legendary Salvo Scebba, officially second coach but in reality a very expert water polo guru. In this adventure, I was accompanied, supported and stimulated by the precious management group composed of the Sports Director Andrea Scirè, our long-time captain and protagonist of all Muri's great seasons, Gabriele Indelicato strong> and Paolo Alessi, tireless and precious Team Managers, among the most splendid sons of Muri and Enrico Sciacca, who started as manager of the youth teams but soon became the factotum of all the teams, always present and ready to solve all the problems that arose on a daily basis. The contribution of our expert, professional and punctual press officer Davide Caltabiano, characteristics of a thoroughbred journalist, was invaluable. Our club doctor Dr. Stefano Palazzo is always available, a reassuring presence for everyone.

All this was made possible by athletes and men who felt the Muri Antichi cap sewn on them. "Let's start with our little ones coming from the youth team who, although not making their debut, were part of the group in training sessions contributing to general growth as well as their own: Federico Gagliano, Francesco Puglisi, Raffaele Penna and Giuliano Leonardi. Defending the goal were two great names from the Muri school, albeit of different ages. Cristiano Vittoria, memorable season, at the center of the new course project from day one. At his side is our very young Flavio Nicolosi, always ready when called upon, author of top-level performances. At the center Alberto Lanto, a great physique but also a great heart, capable of breaking down opposing defenses with strength and technique. Together with Alberto, our Walter Vecchiarini, very good every time he got into the pool, found more and more space along the way. Gioacchino Maggiulli, a very useful and elegant first defender, contained the opposing midfielders with great ability.  Together with him Andrea Marano, defender and more, very faithful to the Muri cause, always responded with commitment and quality every time he was involved in the match. Grateful to Luca Reina, his career at Muri is a source of pride for its seriousness and quality, certainly a very high profile season. Since he was a child, Fabrizio Basile has intertwined his career very often with our teams and has always contributed to achieving seasonal objectives with his tactical sagacity. What to say about vice-captain Vincenzo Belfiore: Muri Antichi flag since his sporting birth, just a cap for him, always growing exponentially until this year's apotheosis. Super positive experience for our thoroughbred strikers: Ruben Riolo and Giovanni Forzase experienced the season of revenge, often taking the solution to complicated matches between themselves. Perfect mix of quality and experience. A year worth remembering for them which saw Ruben as the season's top scorer and Giovanni pressing on. We are happy to have believed in the three "terrible kids" who arrived in Muri thanks to a far-sighted collaboration with Nuoto Catania. Francesco Emmi, Francesco Foti and Federico Trimarchi, the latter deserving of being part of the under 18 group that will compete in the World Cup, were fantastic, they gave great help and put positive pressure on their teammates: practically perfect. An unforgettable page that saw the use of Dino Cassone in the most delicate moment of the year. The +4 signed in game 1 of the play off final made Nesima "collapse" due to the celebration of her kids yesterday, today and tomorrow. Unforgettable emotion. We end the thanks of the team members with Captain Luca Muscuso. Despite pressing work commitments, he made himself available from day one, showing a touching attachment to social colours. He undermined the defenses with goals and deserved the satisfaction of having written this page of sporting history as Captain. Don't hold it against me, but Aurelio Scebba deserves the biggest thanks. Little Aurelio, who almost thirty years ago, at the age of 9, took his first strokes as a swimmer in the Muri Antichi pool, last year, after a sumptuous career as a player and as a coach of youth teams, accepted to be placed at the center of a technical project yet to be built. But we all believed it and we were right. Aurelio, after a year of exponential growth, was perfect. Otherwise we wouldn't be where we are. Well done and thank you very much."

Management, staff and players but not only. There are those who have invested and believed strongly in this project. "I can only thank our sponsor friends without whom the projects and corporate ambitions could not take off. Our main sponsor Giorgini Ottica who believed in the restart project together with the companies: MAD Management Advisor, Ciclopi Viaggi, Carrozzeria Bella , Dedalo Parafarmacia, TR Impianti, Savia, DEC Desing Engineering Construction, Sikelia Ceutical, Siri, Positive Effect”.

The Ancient Walls have a big heart and the desire to fight as distinctive DNA traits. Can we also add the ability to never stop? "Just a few hours after the celebration of the promotion, the staff led by our DS Andrea Scirè was immediately at work to investigate, plan and build. The group that achieved the jump in category deserves to be reconfirmed as much as possible but it is inevitable that the A2 series will be more demanding for those who need to combine study and work commitments. My dream, for some time now, is that Muri Antichi can represent a sort of national youth team of Eastern Sicily, as the only A2 club, with the task of building and enhancing the best talents ready to take flight for prestigious careers, always respecting one's identity and history. I will try to develop this project with all my strength and I am sure it will be of common use for Sicilian companies. A series of events are planned in the next few days and we can't wait to be together. Let's go Ancient Walls!”.

Davide Caltabiano
Giorgini Ottica Muri Antichi Catania Press Office