Martin Berger: A Christmas fairy tale since summer

In the summer of 2022, Martin Berger from Montal was allowed to train with Italy's U20 for several weeks. Various Serie A clubs became aware of the giants from Montal. “Then everything happened very quickly and I signed with Itas Trentino,” says Berger.

In the past four months, the young volleyball player's world has changed suddenly. He lives like a professional, everything revolves around his sport. “I get up at 8 a.m. and then I have a healthy breakfast.

Two training sessions a day, lots of rest Then it's time for strength and technique training. After lunch, I rest for an hour, and then there's ball training in the afternoon or early evening,” the 19-year-old gives an insight into everyday life.

At Itas Trentino he is carefully built up alongside the extremely strong and experienced middle blockers Srecko Lisinac and Marko Podrascanin. Trent trainer Angelo Lorenzetti and his support team take great care of Berger: “I trust these experts blindly. It's often tiring, and when things don't go as planned, I can get annoyed. But that was clearly the right step. I’ve gotten used to the rhythm and have already learned a lot.”

Martin Berger (right) listens to coach Angelo Lorenzetti's instructions with his Trient teammates.

The young middle blocker from the Pustertal lives together with Itas libero Domenico Pace in Cognola, just above Trento. It takes 15 minutes by car from the apartment to the sports hall. “We eat lunch in Trento and cook ourselves in the evening. I’ve learned a lot about the stove from Domenico. “We like to treat ourselves to a plate of pasta with salmon,” reports amateur chef Berger.

He was recently allowed to fly with the team to Brazil for the Club World Cup. It wasn't enough to use it. But that's what we agreed on. For Berger this year it's primarily about getting used to the training intensity and stress of being a volleyball professional.

Berger wants one thing above all for Christmas this year: “I would like to spend a few cozy hours with my best friends.” They are also excellent athletes. On the one hand, ice hockey player Tommy Purdeller, who is trying his luck in North America with the Peterborough Petes, and on the other hand, handball player Paul Wierer, who plays for Campus Italia in the Serie A1 in Chieti.

Coach Lorenzetti is a person of respect Berger is currently hardly granted any days off. “Coach Lorenzetti wants me to work a lot. He is a person of great respect, a real leader. I get on very well with him and with everyone else in the team. I was received very well,” reports Berger. “And I was able to learn Italian well during these months.”

Berger even made his debut in the Champions League and also scored a point. “That was really an experience. My teammates celebrated me. But as I said, playing is not the main goal for this season. I want and need to learn a lot and get used to the pace. “I’ve already made a lot of progress in blocking, now I have to get better at quick attacks too,” says the Montaler.

Berger has already set himself a goal for 2023: “I want to be one of the middle blockers for the Italian team at the U21 World Cup in the summer and also play in the title fights. I will do everything I can to achieve this. I will discuss with those responsible at the club in the spring whether I will work at Itas next season or gain experience somewhere in the A2 series.” Berger is living his dream!

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Martin Berger: A Christmas fairy tale since summer

Dreams come true around Christmas. However, Martin Berger from Montal has been living since June. The 19-year-old volleyball player dared to make the jump from Serie C to the professionals from Trento.

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