Tizian Giovannelli (right) is Unterland's rock in the surf. © Vanna Antonello

“Now deliver consistently”: This man surprises the league

From eternal reserve to top performer: Tizian Giovanelli is enjoying the best time of his ice hockey career at the age of 28. But what makes the Unterland Cavaliers goalie suddenly so strong? We asked him.

21 November 2024

Tizian Giovanelli has played ten games in the Alps Hockey League so far this season. In recent years he has hardly played more than that – over the entire season, mind you. This summer, the goalkeeper from Auer rose to number one for the first time at the age of 28. Since then, he has surprised critics and experts.

Giovanelli has faced no fewer than 309 shots in his ten games, of which he was able to defuse 90,3% - and that in a team that often and happily tries its luck on the offensive and gives the opponents plenty of space at the back. A team that has only two foreigners in its ranks (the Canadian Oliver Smith has left Unterland again) and relies exclusively on Italians in the entire defensive unit.

This is exactly the team that Giovanelli has led from the bottom of the table to ninth place during the first phase of the season. The Cavs have scored in eight of their last ten matches. With three decisive games in the next six days, SportNews conducted the following short interview with Giovanelli.

“We always want to score points in the next games!” Titian Giovanelli

Many experts find your own achievements somewhat surprising. Does that apply to you too?

"Basically, things are going better than expected - also for me personally. I knew from the start that this would be an important, decisive year. The hard work of the past few years, including the tough dry training all summer, is now paying off. But I also have to say: The start was good, but now I have to deliver consistently, otherwise it's all worthless."


At the age of 28, you are standing in goal as a number one goalie for the first time. How does it feel?

"Of course very well (laughs). Little has changed in everyday life, I love to train a lot and intensively. I did that before too, but now I can show my performance more often in games. As a result, I have more responsibility. But I also see the responsibility in supporting our backup Laurin Foppa. At 20 years old and with his talent, he is the future of the club. He will be in goal for many years to come. That's why I try to include him everywhere, to prepare him as best as possible for this task."


What are your goals for the next, groundbreaking games?

"With the aim of always scoring points! You're right, these are game-changers. We need to win at home against table neighbours Bregenzerwald, then we'll face two absolute top teams in Jesenice and Ritten. Then we'll know where we stand."

The Unterland Cavaliers led by goalkeeper Tizian Giovanelli are a close-knit team.

In the next few days, not only the Unterland Cavaliers will have to make their final decisions, but also the Kellerkinder of the AlpsHL: Val Gardena, Wipptal and Merano. They will be hunting for points in front of their home fans on Thursday, as will the Rittner Buam, who are returning to the championship after their disappointing Continental Cup exit.

On Saturday, Ritten and Meran will face each other in a purely South Tyrolean duel. One such match is in the IHL on Thursday, when Kaltern welcomes Toblach. On Saturday, however, the Pusterer hosts HC Eppan.

The next dates of the AlpsHL:

Thu. 21 November
Unterland – Bregenzerwald (20 pm)
Ritten – Celje
Wipptal – Sisak
Val Gardena – Kitzbühel (20.30:XNUMX pm)
Meran – Salzburg II

Sat. 23 November
Ritten – Merano (18 p.m.)
Jesenice – Lowlands
Celje – Val Gardena
Salzburg II – Wipptal (19.15 p.m.)

The next dates of the IHL:

Thu. 21 November
Eppan – Fiemme (20 pm)
Pergine – Brixen (20.30 p.m.)
Kaltern – Dobbiaco

Sat. 23 November
Brixen – Valpellice (18 p.m.)
Fiemme – Kaltern (19.30 pm)
Toblach – Eppan (20 pm)