Giorgia Sottana: 'Motherhood has taught me to take my time'

Giorgia Sottana's incredible career came to an end on 26 April when she won the scudetto. The Famila Schio captain leaves the parquet after a career built on leadership, continuity, and success: 9 championships, 12 Italia Cups, 9 Italian Super Cups, as well as 1,376 baskets in 140 appearances with the national team. In recent years, Sottana has also become the symbol of a new generation of female athletes, capable of reconciling motherhood and high-level sport. Ellis, born in February 2024, came into the life of basketball player and wife and teammate Kim Mestdagh (married in Belgium in 2021) 'thought of and wanted, but at the same time she was a real hurricane'.

How has motherhood changed your perspective, both in your personal life and in your sports career?

Motherhood for me was a fundamental step in my life because it obviously made me change my perspective and thoughts on many things. Even on a sporting level, since Elly arrived I have had a different management of commitments and the moment I arrived home and she was there waiting for me, the thought of basketball remained locked out. Ellis made me think a lot about the passing of time and made me grow in patience and the ability to sit and wait. It also made me understand in a much deeper way what it actually means to be present in the moment you are living without distraction.

What did your daughter teach you about time, patience and balancing personal commitments and motherhood?

I have also learnt to take my time because it is only right that I do and it is right that she also learns to know that mum is not there all the time. Sometimes mothers have their own commitments.