There are not many in sport who have achieved success both as a player and coach. Italian Alessandro Campagna belongs to this category, having skippered his country to the Olympic waterpolo title in 1992 and then coached the Settebello to the world crown in 2011. Valhmor Camilleri met up with the waterpolo legend…

Alessandro Campagna is regarded by many as one of the most complete players to have graced waterpolo. Born in Palermo, he has been a central figure for the Italian national team for several years.

In his 409 appearances, Campagna steered his country to a series of successes, most notably an historic grand slam between 1992 and 1995 after winning gold at the Barcelona Olympics, FINA Cup, back-to-back European Championships and the World Championship.

His switch to coaching proved equally successful. After leading the team to the world title in Shanghai in 2011, Campagna did well to keep the Italian side among the top four in the international rankings.

Not many are perhaps aware of the fact that Malta played a key role in the formation of Campagna as a coach.

In fact, his first experience took place here when, in 1995, he was player-coach of Sirens, helping the St Paul’s Bay team to second place in the league and reaching the final of the KO.

“Malta has a special place in my heart,” the 52-year-old told Times of Malta.

“It was here where I took my first steps in coaching. In 1995, Sirens president Lino Vella was in Rome and he offered me the job.

“That turned out to be a useful experience as it helped me to realise that I had the qualities to be a good coach. The following year I retired as a player and started coaching youngsters but the knowhow I gained at Sirens served me in good stead.”

Campagna describes the national team experience as unique.

“Winning the Barcelona Olympics was a dream,” he said.

“I had always aspired to win Olympic gold and when you attain that objective it’s like you’ve reached the apex of happiness,” he said.

“Then, as a coach, the world title in 2011 was another great occasion. It was the first world title for Italy after 17 years.

“A remarkable aspect of that result was that we had seven players in our squad who were playing in their first World Championship.

“But we still succeeded in transmitting passion and enthusiasm to the group and they adhered to a new playing philosophy that helped the side reach great heights.”

Next month, Campagna will lead Italy at the European Championships in Belgrade where he harbours hopes of booking a place in next summer’s Rio Olympics.

“All teams at the European Championships will go out to secure one of the four Rio spots at stake,” Campagna, who played for Ortigia and Roma at club level, said.

“I’m expecting a very difficult champion-ship. We are heading to Belgrade aware that we need to grow a lot as a team and increase our belief that we are good enough and can go all the way.”

Malta will make history in Serbia when the country makes its first showing ever in the competition.

Karl Izzo’s team were drawn in a very tough group (against hosts Serbia, Croatia and France) but Campagna thinks the experience of playing at this level will help the team’s development.

“I was not surprised with the Maltese team’s results and qualification as, in the last few years, they have improved significantly,” Campagna said.

“Indeed, I was particularly pleased for Karl Izzo. He is so passionate for the game and this qualification is just reward for his dedication as well as that of the entire squad.

“Lately, several Maltese coaches, including Izzo, attended seminars in Italy and they had valuable training which is starting to show.

“This first experience in the championships will be another learning curve for the coach and his players. It will be a memorable occasion for them to play in front of 12,000 fans against Serbia.”

Campagna said that, irrespective of the results in Belgrade, the Maltese team’s participation is likely to have a positive impact on the sport.

“These championships will surely catch the imagination of young waterpolo players who will be keen to emulate their colleagues in the future,” he said.

“The national team’s participation is a positive step which will leave a lasting legacy for the game here, no doubt.

“I’m convinced that, next summer, there will be more young players joining the Maltese league and start practising waterpolo.”