The 32-year-old took part in a full training session for the first time since his diagnosis.
Great news: Achille Polonara returns to Virtus training
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Virtus Segafredo Bologna brought a smile to the faces of all Turkish Airlines EuroLeague fans on Tuesday by announcing that Achille Polonara has returned to full training.
Polonara has been away from the court and feeling the support of the EuroLeague community after doctors discovered a testicular tumor and subsequently operated on it in early October, with Virtus making this news public on October 21. Yet, just over five weeks later, the 32-year-old took part in a training session with his Virtus teammates this Tuesday, November 28.
At the time of the first announcement, Virtus declared that Polonara would spend at least four weeks on the sidelines as he underwent chemotherapy to address the testicular tumor, before practicing on his own.
Polonara showed his inner strength
We have all become familiar with Polonara’s energetic play on the court, but the Italian forward has also shown the inner strength that he has in the last couple of months.
His Virtus teammates and the coaching staff have been behind him all the way, holding up his jersey after a big win against AS Monaco and also having him present at games, with Polonara joining in with high-fiving the fans after wins at Virtus Segafredo Arena.
Polonara returned to his native Italy over the summer by returning to Virtus, yet the discovery of this testicular tumor means that he has only played one game so far this season, which came against Zalgiris Kaunas in Round 1.
The team led by head coach Luca Banchi has used Polonara as an inspiration throughout his recovery, with Virtus going 7-2 since the forward’s only appearance in this campaign, so his return is likely to result in another big boost of morale.
It seems as though Virtus’s upcoming road game against FC Bayern Munich in Round 11 could come too soon for Polonara’s return, but the club’s Round 12 clash at home to FC Barcelona could see him step onto the parquet once again in the EuroLeague. No doubt, there will be a celebratory feel the moment that this happens.