2020 will be a monumental year for the Team Italy softball squad under the leadership of manager Enrico Obletter. After a 16-year absence, the Azzurre women's softball team returns to the 2020 Olympics in Japan. Gathering in Rome recently in preparation for the new year, the resilient squad adopted the Latin phrase "Hic Et Nunc" or "Here and Now" since the softball team is ready to fight without holding back because #TokyoHereWeCome.
The 2020 Olympic Europe-Africa representative chose the #HicEtNunc (or #HereAndNow) hashtag to not only symbolically represent the long and important history of their Italian ancestors, but also to personify the winning spirit of a team of outstanding women athletes willing and able to go above and beyond expectations. Prior to embarking on the #RoadToTokyo, Team Italy will battle in two international competitions to warm up for the Olympics. The Azzurre softball squad kicks off the new year in the Australia Pacific Cup (AP Cup) beginning January 30, 2020 in Sydney. Then the defending European champion will strive to score back-to-back titles in the WBSC European Women's Softball Championship, which takes place in the Italian Friuli region from June 7-13, 2020.
In the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the Team Italy softball squad (ranked #9) clashes against USA (ranked #1), Japan (ranked #2), Canada (ranked #3), Mexico (ranked #5), and Australia (ranked #7). Two days before the Tokyo Olympics Games Opening Ceremonies, the softball competion begins at Fukushima Azuma Baseball Stadium on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. The single round-robin tournament between the six softball nations continues at Fukushima Azuma Baseball Stadium on Thursday, July 23 before moving to Yokohama Baseball Stadium from Saturday, July 25 through Monday, July 27. The Olympic Women's Softball Gold and Bronze Medal Games will also be played at Yokohama Baseball Stadium on Tuesday, July 28.
Carrying the Federazione Italiana Baseball Softball flag in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the Azzurre softball squad invites everyone to celebrate their monumental journey to greatness with the 2020 launch of the official Team Italy hashtags of #HicEtNunc, #HereAndNow, and #TokyoHereWeCome. Forza #Italia!
by Roberto Angotti
