He is young but his surname has already marked the volleyball history. Massa signed the son of the great Franck ‘hand of stone’ Bertoli. Matteo is one of the most promising youngsters of his generation. He came up in Modena’s youth ranks and played last season in Isernia.

“Isernia proved to be an important experience because it was my first time away from home – said Matteo – I experienced volleyball as a job and not only as a way to enjoy myself. This is my dream but if I were to realise I could not become pro I would start to study. Important surname? As a kid, it was hard but not anymore”.