Getting to know Halkbank’s latest addition Nicolas Bruno
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Halkbank ANKARA of Turkey recently claimed the 2021 edition of the BVA Cup, thus securing the right to contest the 2022 CEV Volleyball Challenge Cup. The team from Turkey’s capital will start their journey from the 32nd Finals in early November – playing Marek Uniov-Ivkoni DUPNITSA of Bulgaria. As usual, their roster features many international stars, including Argentinean Nicolas Bruno.
In a recent interview with Halkbank’s Press Office, Bruno reviewed his journey in the sport.
“I started to play in my school at the age of 10, with two up to three sessions per week. My parents both played Volleyball – but not as professionals. I did not have a favourite player as a youngster, but I remember at that time the most known player was Marcos Milinkovic. He was the star of our national team, and I was very lucky to be his teammate many years later. It is not easy to describe myself, but I am a team player and a complete player. I try to be good in all aspects of the game.”
“At home they always supported me, but the desire to be as good as I can get was coming from the inside I think,” Bruno continues. “Maybe the coaches I had have a big part of that but I always wanted to push myself to be better - physically, technically and mentally. I think I can help my team in many ways. I am a complete player and I have been playing for many years already. Moreover, after spending three years in Turkey, I think I know better all the players and how things work in this league. I still struggle with the Turkish language though. This will be my fourth year here and I still cannot manage a basic conversation.”
The season ahead is a busy one for Bruno and Halkbank, with as many as three competitions on the line.
“I am very enthusiastic about this season, the roster is great, and the club is amazing. We need to work hard, put all the pieces together and be ready to fight in every match. This will take us to good results. We are an almost completely new team, so we need to become a winning team. I believe with time we will become one, and people will speak good things about Halkbank."
Nicolas is enthusiastic about playing for Halkbank. “I knew where I was coming. Halkbank has a rich history in Turkish and European Volleyball. They have won many championships and some of the best players in the world were here. Therefore, I was excited when the opportunity came. The club gives us everything we need to be competitive. We have all the support to just get better and become a winning team. The Turkish league is amazing, so competitive. Last season, it was very hard to get into the playoffs and this season will be the same. You need to play good and be consistent if you want to get there and fight for title, there is not so much space for mistakes.”
Many people know he is a good football player too. “I like almost all sports. I enjoy so much any kind of competition. I have become a big fan of Formula 1 and I enjoy it so much. But I miss so much the opportunity to follow soccer matches live in Argentina.”
Bruno is environmentally conscious as well.
“I believe that nature is sending us every time stronger messages. I am far from being an expert on the subject, but at least I try to make the basic things, as I recycle some stuff, do not waste any energy/water, and this kind of things. It annoys me so much when I see people leaving garbage on the streets, even if it is the smallest thing, I just cannot understand it.”
Short questions…
Messi or Maradona?
I love them both.
Can we say that you are used to Turkey and Ankara?
In a way, yes you can. Apart from Buenos Aires, Ankara is the city where I have spent most of my life so far.
How do you like Turkish food, do you cook yourself at home?
I like it so much. I cook at home, but I also go out. At least once a week, I go to a restaurant.
Were you able to learn some Turkish?
Every year I understand a little bit more, but I cannot say that I can speak Turkish. It is not an easy language to learn for me.