July 4th, 2014
Tai has left the Italian National Team citing personal reasons.
She has released this statement:
“I tried to carry on my family situation together with preparations but the result did not come out as I expected.
I’m sorry but I have to leave the national team. My teammates have understood my reasons and I’m grateful. I tried to encourage them to continue working with the same intensity and I told them that I want to see Italy in finals of the World Championship.
I want to thank Marco Bonitta because he trusted me. I will support our national team and I wish them all the best.”
Italian version:
“Ci sono dei momenti in cui devi fare delle scelte e non puoi tirarti indietro. Ho provato a portare avanti la mia situazione familiare di pari passo con la preparazione, ma il risultato non è stato quello che mi ero aspettata”.
“Mi dispiace lasciare questo gruppo con cui mi sono trovata benissimo e con cui stavamo lavorando in maniera positiva. Le mie compagne hanno capito pienamente le mie ragioni e io nel salutarle ho cercato di spronarle a continuare a lavorare con la stessa intensità e gli ho detto che le voglio vedere in campo nelle finali”.
“Voglio ringraziare Marco Bonitta per la fiducia che mi ha accordato: lo conoscevo come un tecnico di valore, lavorandoci insieme ho trovato una persona di grosso spessore umano. Ringrazio anche la Federazione che ancora una volta ha creduto in me e che non potrò ripagare con le prestazioni in campo. Questa è una squadra che sento mia e che cercherò di sostenere come tifosa dalle tribune.”
We are shocked with this news but at the same time we deeply respect Tai’s decision that family comes first over volleyball.
Best Wishes Tai!
May 9th, 2014
AGUERO is officially training with the Italian National Team.
The Italians will meet in San Bonifacio for a training session followed by friendly matches against the Czech Republic in San Bonifacio on May 16 and the following day in Montichiari.
But the first order of the day for the women’s national team will be the annual FIVB World Grand Prix. Finishing in third place at last year’s edition, Italy will feature in Group 1 (Pools A to I) this year. The group includes defending champions, London 2012 Olympic winners and world No. 1 Brazil, USA, Japan, China, Russia, Serbia, the Dominican Republic, Germany, Korea, Turkey and Thailand. Italy are scheduled to play their first match against Japan on August 8 in Hong Kong.
Coach Marco Bonitta is back with the Italian national team, after leaving in 2006. The Italian has called up thirteen athletes, including Taismary Aguero – returning to the team after five years – Sara Bonifacio and Paola Egonu, two young athletes from Club Italia.
The following players will gather in San Bonifacio:
– Cristina Chirichella and Noemi Signorile (Openjobmetis Ornavasso)
– Valentina Diouf, Raphaela Folie, Sara Loda and Enrica Merlo (Foppapedretti Bergamo)
– Giulia Pascucci (Corpora Gricignano)
– Sara Bonifacio and Paola Egonu (Club Italia) – they will arrive on May 12
– Valentina Fiorin and Monica De Gennaro (Imoco Conegliano)
– Taismary Aguero and Valentina Zago (Pomì Casalmaggiore)- Aguero will arrive on May 6.
This year’s FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix, which will be staged from July 25 to August 24, will feature 28 teams for the first time in its history, split into three groups, which will culminate in their own Finals. Groups 2 (Pools J to O) and 3 (Pools P to S) will start their Preliminary Round action on July 25 followed by Group 1 (Pools A to I) on August 1.
Check out these pics of Tai:
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March 20th, 2014
OMG!
This is just a SHOCKING BUT GREAT news!
The 37 year old Taismary Aguero is ready to play for the Italian National Team again if new coach Marco Bonitta needs her. The last time Tai played for Italy was at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Despite playing with a heavy heart due to the death of her mother who was in Cuba, Tai led Italy to finish the tourney in 5th.
Take note, she is MORE INTERESTED to play as a setter.
Aguero, who was a 2000 Olympic gold medalist when she played for Cuba, became a mother last year. She recently joined Italian club team Pomì Casalmaggiore who is currently ranked 7th.
An insider tells Volleywood:
“Coach Marco has not decided yet on his roster for this year. He obviously wants young and experienced players on his squad knowing that Italia is hosting the 2014 Women’s World Championship. Coach has not reached out to Lo Bianco but he has expressed the idea of contacting her so they can talk about her current physical condition and other personal matters.
Bonitta is NOT a big fan of naturalized players to play for the national team. If Lo Bianco declines, then I think he has no choice but to invite Aguero to train and see what she can bring to the team. She was a hitter/setter when she played for Cuba and her experience will for sure help Italy. She is not in great shape yet but Tai is very much willing to become 100% ready if she is invited to compete for Italy.
If Coach takes Tai then this means that Argentinian-Italian outside hitter Carolina Costagrande will be excluded from the team due to the FIVB rule a national team can only have 1 naturalized player.
The question is will Francesca Piccinini be interested to play for Italy again if Aguero is on the team. It’s pretty obvious they had conflict when they both played for the team in 2007 & 2008 seasons. Let’s not forget that Piccinini and Lo Bianco are still not in good terms after their publicized feud last year.”
There’s a lot to be fixed if Coach Marco brings back Aguero BUT it’s all worth it because she is still one of the most complete players our generation has ever seen.”
Seriously, Italy needs Aguero.
Any Thoughts?
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