Austrian talent Lukas Glatz, a 20-year-old outside hitter from Styria, is taking a significant leap in his career by transferring from TSV Raiffeisen HARTBERG to the renowned Italian club Rana VERONA. This strategic move places him in the Italian SuperLega, widely regarded as the premier volleyball league globally.
Glatz expressed his excitement, stating, “Playing in this championship has always been a dream of mine. The `Volleyball Senza Confini` project provided me with an early understanding of the demands of international volleyball. Now, I’m eager to prove myself ready. Verona presents a tremendous opportunity.”
Since 2023, TSV Raiffeisen HARTBERG and Rana VERONA have fostered a strong partnership through the cross-border “Volleyball Senza Confini” initiative. This collaboration has familiarized the Italian club with Hartberg’s impressive talent pool, enabling early identification and development of promising young players like Glatz. The project facilitates close cooperation between coaches, including their involvement in trial trainings, and bilateral exchange of performance data and video. This reciprocal arrangement also allows international players of interest to Rana VERONA to be trained and developed at Hartberg. Verona has acknowledged Glatz’s exceptional technical and athletic prowess, cultivated during his time in Hartberg.
Gottfried Rath-Zobernig, the visionary behind “Volleyball Senza Confini,” remarked, “Lukas Glatz’s transfer actualizes our belief that Austrian players can reach world-class status through dedicated support and international collaboration. I am thrilled that this project will forge innovative paths for Austrian clubs and talents moving forward.”
Comprising 12 teams, the SuperLega is considered the pinnacle of professional volleyball, akin to basketball’s NBA or ice hockey’s NHL. It attracts elite athletes globally, offering lucrative contracts and worldwide broadcasts. The league features numerous Olympic and World Champions; notably, Glatz will be teammates with three-time World and Olympic medalist US setter Micah Christenson this autumn.
Stefano Fanini, President of Verona Volley, stated, “We are delighted to welcome Lukas to the Rana Verona family. This agreement stems from our fruitful partnership with TSV Raiffeisen HARTBERG, a club that shares our vision for nurturing young athletes. Lukas possesses immense potential, and he will be in a competitive environment conducive to his continued growth. His choice to begin his international career with us fills us with pride and validates the appeal of our project. We extend a warm welcome to Lukas.”
TSV Raiffeisen HARTBERG also expressed immense pride in this significant transfer and the accomplishments of the “Volleyball Senza Confini” project. Markus Gaugl, Managing Director of TSV Raiffeisen HARTBERG, commented, “Lukas’s transfer is a landmark moment for Austrian volleyball. Seeing a player from our development program compete in the world`s strongest league is both a testament to the quality of our work and a powerful motivator.”
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Jasper Thornfield 
Finley Blackwood