Antonella Bragaglia

Antonella Bragaglia was on the Italian volleyball squad at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, the first Italian women’s team to compete at the Olympics. She was a middle blocker and débuted in the Italian First League at the age of 17 with Modena, with whom she played from 1989-1993. She then joined Foppapedretti Bergamo, with whom she had the best six years of her career. From 1993-94 through 1998-99, she won four Italian titles (1996-99), three Italian Cups (1996-98), the SuperCup three times (1996-98) and, internationally, two European Cups (1997 and 1999).

In 1999 Bragaglia achieved her best result with the national team, coached by Angiolino Frigoni, with a bronze medal at the European Championships held in Italy, behind Russia and Croatia, defeating Germany 3-0 for third place. In the following years she played with Napoli (2000-01), Jesi, Palermo (when the club had significant financial problems) and one year, 2004, where she was inactive because of maternity. She returned in 2005 and, until the end of career in 2011, played only in the Second League with Civitanova Marche, Nocera Umbra, Mantova and finally Pomezia.