New Italian recruit, Edo says that even in Vientiane, like Vietnam, there are little people. He hasn't yet met the Vung Tau Massive!

Edoardo Bozzola is unusual. He’s an Italian, married to a Melbournian, and lives in Hanoi working for Piaggio. He’s also a basketballer who doesn’t look much shorter than 7ft. On the weekend, Man Mountain Edo found himself playing footy for the first time. He was with the Swannies in Vientiane, in the ruck and in the 5th Annual Indochina Cup…

I’ve been told many times “you’re so tall, you would be a perfect ruck” by random Aussie guys I have met in Hanoi. All I could do was smile and nod politely, Vietnamese style, while thinking to myself, “What on earth is a ruck?!?”… until my girlfriend Melissa (from Melbourne) decided to take me to see the 2010 AFL Grand Final at JASPAS.

I liked it and before the new season started this year, I had already picked my team; choosing them for their mascot, the same as my home town in Italy… (go the Cats!).

Watching the 2011 matches on TV, I became very passionate about the sport and I started thinking I should give it a go on a real field. So, after I tried a few kicks in the living room with a kid’s footy – with some collateral damage – Melissa decided it was time to send me out and contacted the Vietnam Swans booking me in for a training session.

The guys welcomed me warmly, the total beginner I was, and gave me plenty of great hints. I enjoyed two training sessions and then found myself flying to Laos without really realizing how that happened.

Edo wins an Indochina Cup and plenty of new friends.

The Indochina Cup started with no expectations from my side, actually I was wondering if I’d play at all given my poor skills. Surprisingly, I very soon had my chance to step on the field and just tried to give it my best. Nonetheless, I am sure it wasn’t impressive and I went back to the bench, not really satisfied with myself. But all of the Swannies had an encouraging word for me. They even tried some moves with me during the break and I got my confidence back.

Next time I was on the field, in the ruck, I knew not just what it was, but (more or less) how to do it. Jump, bang, tap… and I won the contest! What a great feeling! From then on, I just threw myself into the game and felt a part of it all. The few things I can do, I did them all, and I feel like I put my little brick to build up a great Swans victory!

I enjoyed the game and the attitude of the people involved: it’s an intense but fair competition, and you can feel the team stands by your side; such a great VIBE to the sport. I’ve been a pure basketballer for many years and actually didn’t think I could ever really love any other sport, but clearly I was wrong.

THANK YOU GUYS!