“What turns do two lives make…” If we wanted to entrust music with the task of telling the second new face of Grottazzolina in the Super League version, it comes to mind to rely on Mengoni, because actually more than a new arrival it is a return, but not like many others when it comes to sport. Here we are talking about life, or rather, two lives.
Oleg Antonov was a wonderful 8-year-old boy when his father Jaroslav decided, way back in 1996, to embrace the cause of the then Videx Grottazzolina, giving the small club in the Fermo area one of the most beautiful pages in its history. The first foreigner in the history of the club in Serie A, Jaroslav landed in Grottazzolina at the age of 33 and is still, unquestionably, one of the most loved and remembered players by the Grottazzolina fans. In addition to the suitcases and an extraordinary wealth of experience, Jaroslav brought with him a beautiful child, who did not take long to bond with other peers in the town. And it couldn’t be otherwise, given that in small villages everyone knows each other.
Since that time, a lot of water has flowed under the bridge over the Tenna river, which ideally as well as geographically connects the territory of Grottazzolina with the neighboring municipalities. A lifetime has passed, two lifetimes have passed.
Yet, a strange twist of fate, despite Grottazzolina being the older of the two in volleyball terms, it is Oleg who has more experience at the highest levels. And to explain it, just limit yourself to just one figure: 137 appearances for the Italian national team, stuff that makes your wrists tremble.
Born in Moscow in 1988 but raised in volleyball in Treviso following in his father’s footsteps, Oleg Antonov is a real big shot of national volleyball, and his arrival in Grottazzolina adds a magnificent note of romanticism to his CV .
In 2018 he moved to Ural, the Russian Superleague, and then concluded the season once again in Turkey, this time at Galatasaray. The post-pandemic is recent history, Oleg returns to Italy and plays for two years in Piacenza, before moving to Prisma Taranto in 2022-23. He played the season just ended in Russia, at Nova, until the special call-up to Grottazzolina, in the top flight. A matter of the heart, and the heart cannot be commanded.
