Surge in sign-ups for optional training among youth national teams

Participation in the summer optional training sessions for players eligible for San Marino’s youth national teams has exceeded all expectations. Around 90 boys have responded positively to the proposal to take part in extra sessions over the first three weeks of July: launched last Monday at the Ezio Conti, they will continue until 18 July, always at the refurbished Dogana facility. Split into two age groups, both will take part in two training sessions per week. Players born between 2005 and 2007 will train on Tuesdays and Fridays, while the younger group – those born between 2008 and 2010 – will be on the pitch on Mondays and Thursdays. This latter "squad" is in fact the largest, with more than 60 boys enrolled in the project. Just under 30, by contrast, are those in contention for the Under-17 and Under-19 sides: in this regard, a key factor was the decision to accept only those who could guarantee attendance at at least two-thirds of the sessions. For obvious reasons linked to work and study commitments, this condition has had a greater impact on the older age group. On the pitch, Roberto Di Maio and Devid Renzi – the latter as fitness coach – will oversee all the training sessions. For those born between 2008 and 2010, coach Dario Vanni and Federico Gasperoni (goalkeeping coach) will also be present. At every session, Technical Coordinator Daniele Arrigoni will also take part on the pitch. Finally, players and Head Coaches of the San Marino National Team have met and will continue to meet the young Sammarinese footballers, to pass on to them – if ever there were any need – the enthusiasm and significance of wearing the Titans shirt on the international stage. At the start of the week, Matteo Vitaioli (record appearance holder) and Nicko Sensoli (among the youngest debutants in recent years) shared their experiences with their younger compatriots. Under-21 Head Coach Matteo Cecchetti did likewise. This evening it will be the turn of Roberto Cevoli, Head Coach of the San Marino National Team. In the coming weeks, further similar meetings are scheduled with Alessandro Bonesso and Nicola Cancelli, the coaches responsible for the various age groups (U16-17 and U19 respectively).

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