Crossed interview of Alberto Munarriz and Francesco Di Fulvio
Crossed interview of Alberto Munarriz and Francesco Di Fulvio
Players of Barceloneta and Pro Recco
Francesco Di Fulvio (Pro Recco) and Alberto Munarriz (Barceloneta) were respectively elected best player in group A and group B of the regular phase of the Champions League by the captains and coaches (read « Awards Ligue des Champions, les nominés de la phase régulière – Groupe A » and« Awards Ligue des Champions, les nominés de la phase régulière – Groupe B » ). With less than three weeks before Final 8 of the Champions League, we contacted these two players to ask them a few questions.
Présentation of Francesco Di Fulvio :
Présentation of Alberto Munarriz :
France Water-Polo : Best player of your group after the regular phase of the Champions League. What does it mean to you?
Alberto Munarriz : Obviously I’m honored for the recognition, but all the games that truly matter are the ones played in the final 8, so I hope that I play at a good level to help my team.
Francesco Di Fulvio : It’s an honor to be named the top player, but the most important thing is that we came out of first our group and we qualified for the final eight.
FWP : Who else do you think could have won this title?
AM : I think they were many great players that had a great performance during all three bubbles. I think it should have been someone from either Ferencvaros, Brescia or Barceloneta given the results and the final qualification of the group.
FDF : I think that Marko Bijac played extremely well in the group stage, and is equally deserving of this award.
FWP : According to you, What are your main qualities?
AM : I think my main quality is that I can play in different positions. This gives me the possibility to do many different things, depending in the circumstances of every game we play.
FDF : I think my speed is the most valuable aspect of my game. With the new rules, quick and fast players are highly rewarded for creating advantages on counter attacks.
FWP : What do you think about Francesco Di Fulvio, best player of group A?
AM : I think Francesco has been in the top 5 players in the world for the last couple of years. His performance in the World Championship 2019 was astonishing, and he keeps improving his aptitudes and his understanding of the game. I think he will remain as a top player leading both Pro Recco and the Italian National Team for many years.
Crédits Photo : Diario de Navarra
FWP : What do you think about Alberto Munarriz, best player of group B?
FDF : Alberto is a great player, and no doubt one of the best players in the world. He played great during this games and I wish him nothing but the best, expect against Recco.
FWP : If you both won your quarter-final, you will meet in the semi-final. Alberto, what do you think about Pro Recco?
AM : Pro Recco is every year the team to beat. They have usually the best players and they have proved to be in a very good shape this season. In case it happens, it will be a really hard game, but first we need to face a really difficult opponent like Olympiakos.
FWP : And you Francesco, what do you think about Barceloneta?
FDF : If we meet them in the semi final, there is no doubt it would be a great game. They play fast and strong, and the only way to win in champions league is to play at 100 percent for the whole game.
Crédits Photo : Zimbio
FWP : Who is the favorite for this Final 8?
AM : I think Pro Recco is the favorite to win it.
FDF : Recco! Of course there are other extremely strong teams but I believe in my squad.
FWP : We usually end our interviews with the question « really stupid ». If you had to choose, Olympic champion or winner of the Champions League?
AM : I will choose Olympic Champion. I think in a sport like ours, it’s the most important achievement a player can achieve.
FDF : Olympics !
