Finally, the season has kicked off for our Volleyball Gladiators, coached by Livia Di Vincenzo, and the start couldn’t have been better! Our team secured an impressive 2-1 victory against the Link Erasmus, a squad typically considered a title favorite.
The Gladiators started strong, dominating their opponents and defending well in the first set, claiming it with a score of 25-19. However, a lapse in concentration allowed Link to stage a comeback in the second set, closing it at 25-22 in Erasmus‘s favor. The final set was a rollercoaster of emotions, with JCU taking the lead, the opponents making a comeback, and ultimately the Gladiators sealing a hard-fought and well-deserved victory, concluding the third set at 25-23.
On the same night at the Trastevere Stadium, two more matches unfolded: the Women‘s Soccer Gladiators triumphed 5-2 against Europea University in a fiercely contested match that remained open until the end. On the other hand, the 11v11 men’s soccer team faced Erasmus in a gritty battle where competitiveness often overshadowed the gameplay. According to Coach Marian, our Gladiators lacked experience and struggled to stay in the game, but he remains optimistic, stating, “The group is strong, and we will grow together, quickly achieving satisfying results.”
Tuesday saw the men’s 5v5 soccer team, in their second match, competing against Sapienza, a high-caliber team that finished as runners-up last year. Despite the 0-5 result, Coach Franceschi used the opportunity to assess the boys against top-level competition and expressed satisfaction with their dedication.
On Monday, the basketball team took advantage of their rest day to play a friendly against Unicamillus, confirming their excellent qualities displayed in the derby of the opening day, securing a victory with a score of 49-34.
Now, a well-deserved break to recharge and come back stronger next week.
Go Gladiators! 💪🏐⚽🏀🎉
