The best player in the World Cup returns to Italy today for the Champions League match against Novara: “The first few days, I used Google Translate to go shopping. We never talk about the world final with my Turkish teammates.”
The world queen returns home. Today at 6 p.m., Alessia Orro will play her first official match in Italy wearing the Fenerbahce jersey. The 27-year-old is embarking on a new chapter in her dazzling career. After leaving Narbolia in the summer of 2013, the Sardinian player gained experience with Club Italia, Busto Arsizio, and Vero Volley until her summer transfer to Turkey. In the meantime, she has achieved great things with the national team. The latest was gold at the 2025 World Cup, where she was named the best player of the tournament. In September, Istanbul ‘kidnapped’ her. “The city is beautiful, I feel lucky. On my days off, I play tourist and am discovering a fascinating city, country, and culture. Including the food.”
Orro, you didn’t even have time to settle in Turkey before you lifted a trophy, the Super Cup. How did you experience it?
“It all happened very quickly, suddenly. I knew it would be difficult because, as a setter, I didn’t have a great understanding with the attackers yet. They trusted me and I trusted them. We were losing 2-0 to Vakifbank, then something clicked and we came back.“
The second day of the Champions League group stage pits you against an Italian team: Novara. What does this tournament mean for Fener?
”The Champions League is our big goal. The match against Novara will be very difficult, also because Novara has recovered Tolok compared to the first part of the season. It will be a tough challenge.“
You play for a sports club where volleyball is just one of the leading sports…
”Fenerbahce fans are totally passionate. It’s a big family that ranges from soccer to basketball. I’ve already been to see the Euroleague. Melli is there, and I was happy to see him. We all support each other.”
Your league seems similar to our A1. Besides you, there’s Sylla. And then there are many Italian coaches…
“The movement in Turkey is growing year after year, and increasingly important players are joining this league. It was normal for Italian players to arrive too, since our national team is one of the strongest in the world. I’m happy that Myriam is there, as I’m very close to her. I also meet our coaches, with whom we sometimes share experiences and speak Italian.“
By the way, how are you getting on with the languages?
”Before coming to Turkey, I didn’t speak English. I knew the basics, which are useful on the court. Now I have to live with this language all day long, and that’s helping me a lot. The first few days weren’t easy. Starting with shopping at the supermarket. Google Translate helped me…”
Have you ever talked about the World Cup final with the Turkish national team players?
“No, never. There is a lot of respect between us and we are focused on the club. It is a daily stimulus to be able to work with players of this level.”
National team chapter. Have you decided what to do for 2026? Will you take two months off or the whole summer?
“I haven’t decided yet. And when I do, I’ll talk to coach Velasco first.”
Food is also part of cultural discovery.
“Everything is spicy, and I don’t mind that. I love to experiment. The meat is delicious, and even the rice is an art form. And then there are the desserts: my favorite is baklava with ice cream. One of the best I’ve ever tasted.“
She is sharing this experience with her boyfriend Matteo Picchio, who until last year was a free agent with Vero Volley Monza in the Super League. How is it going? ”Very well. He’s focused on preparing his thesis, an important moment in his life. Then when he finishes, we’ll see. He aims to become a sports trainer.”
