It will be their first game of the season. Nationally. The U17 of the US Thionville Lusitanos on Sunday he will play against Olympique Lyonnais in Guentrange. Thomas Panunzi, 16 years old from Bertrange and trained in Thionville since childhood, will lead the team. Grégory Adler, the coach, warned: “Tom is one of my grassroots men. You will see, you will not be disappointed. “
A 1.82 m tall young man steps forward: a wise captain. Calm, balanced, determined. A handsome boy with a raven-colored mane who cannot deny his Italian origins. He has been 16 since July, attends sports studies at the Schuman high school in Metz and will enter first grade at the beginning of the school year in September. To become a sports physiotherapist. “I started at Bertrange as a center forward to imitate my older brother Hugo, then, at Thionville FC, I moved to the center. Today I play as a central defender. For two seasons. ” Speaking of which, Thomas greets his coaches : Maurice D’Ametto at Thionville FC, Stéphane Pasqualetto at Charlemagne College, Grégory Adler who made him progress and bring the team to the highest level in France. “We approached to everyone’s surprise. We were playing hold. It is our job that has allowed us to keep Nancy twice and beat Troyes twice. It is our work that will carry us forward again this year despite the presence of eight vocational training centers and despite the three relegations. Playing in the national team is a reward and perhaps a springboard. “
OL, a reward
Tom has rhythm and stature, fluid technique and a sense of anticipation. He is the pillar of the defense, the basic man, the conductor of the three power plants. “I have the depth to handle. I have progress to make in both placement and header. On Sunday, in the locker room, before meeting a club that for decades has attracted internationals from Di Nallo and Chiesa via Benzema, Fékir and tomorrow, perhaps, Gusto or Lukeba, he will say to his people: “This match for us is a bonus, a gift. . Let’s trust each other and look them in the eye because our preparation gives us confidence. So let’s enjoy the moment. Well in his sneakers, well in his day, Tom loves football and sports above all else. Iniesta and Messi for style, Maldini and Ramos for the culture of work The speed of Formula 1, the punch of the series Fast & Furious you hate I believe in the cinema, the rhythm and messages of rap, of the NLP group, of Ninho or JuL. Thomas likes it when he is muscular. Lyon will not disappoint him, that’s for sure. “We will play Mission Impossible”, he concludes with a wink. Don’t miss the event, this Sunday at 3pm (free admission)! Because it’s. And a real one.
