[:hr]Talijanski prvoligaš Genoa CFC iz Genove nedavno je uputio službeni dopis Nogometnom Klubu Istra 1961 u kojem je izrazio interes za našeg igrača Antonia Mionića. Naime, Talijani su poslali pozivnicu za dolazak šesnaestogodišnjaka na tzv. “probu“, odnosno trening period od 5 dana, kako bi ga, nakon dužeg praćenja, upoznali i vidjeli na svom terenu.
Talent i potencijal ovog igrača, Klub je već ranije prepoznao, pa je tako koncem prošle godine Antonio potpisao trogodišnji stipendijski Ugovor s Istrom 1961. Osim Mionića, stipendijske ugovore su potpisala još nekolicina naših perspektivnih kadeta i pionira, što ukazuje na kvalitetno praćenje mladih igrača i sustavan rad u omladinskom pogonu.
Dojmove iz Italije nam je prenio sam Antonio: “Jako sam sretan što me netko zapazio i što mi se pružila prilika da odem i pokažem svoj talent i u nekom velikom Klubu kao što je ovaj. Boravio sam u Genovi par dana, grad je lijep, igrači su me odlično prihvatili, trudili su se pričati sa mnom na engleskom i stvarno svi su bili korektni. Treninzi su bili dosta teški i naporni. Na kraju svega iznimno sam zadovoljan sobom i pokazanim, a vjerujem i Klub odnosno ljudi koji su me pozvali da tamo dođem. Mogu reći da je ovo jedno lijepo iskustvo, koje mi je pokazalo da trebam nastaviti s napornim radom. Vratio sam se, sad sam ovdje, treniram i igram. Kući je ipak najljepše.” – zaključio je Antonio uz smiješak.[:us]Italian first league team Genoa CFC from Genova recently sent an official request to NK Istra 1965 expressing their interest in one of our players, Antonio Mionic. Mionic has been invited to a trial period with the team (5 days of training sessions), so they can evaluate him further and meet him in person. At the end of last year, after recognizing Mionic’s talents, NK Istra 1961 signed him to a 3-year scholarship contract. In addition to Mionic, a few other talented youth academy players from the cadet and pioneer teams have signed the same contract, showing what a great job the youth academy staff have done with their players.
Here are some of Antonio’s first impressions from Italy: “I am really happy that someone saw me and gave me the change to show my talent outside of Croatia at a club as big as this one. I spent a few days in Genova. The city is nice and the players and team welcomed me, tried their best to communicate with me in English, and were really helpful. Practices were hard and exhausting. In the end, I was extremely happy and satisfied with how I performed, and believe the club was satisfied as well. I can say this was a great experience which showed me that I have to continue working hard. I returned to Croatia and for now will remain here. Ultimately, everywhere is nice, but being home is the best.”[:]