Daniele Balli
Encyclopedia
Daniele Balli is an Italian football
goalkeeper who is currently a free agent.
youth system, Balli spent his early professional years with several Serie C1
and Serie C2
teams (Trento, Mobilieri Ponsacco, Tempio
) before to return to Empoli as a reserve keeper in 1992. In 1994 he finally managed to become the first choice for the Tuscan team, being instrumental in two consecutive promotions from Serie C1
to Serie A
. In 1997 he joined Salernitana
, obtaining a personal third consecutive promotion with the Campanian side, and playing with them also in the following season, the first in the Italian top flight for Balli.
In 1999, following Salernitana's relegation back to Serie B, he joined ambitious Umbrian Serie B club Ternana
, playing more than sixty games in two seasons for the rossoverdi. In 2001 he returned to Tuscany, joining Pistoiese
, who then were relegated to Serie C1 that season.
Now without a team, 35-year old Balli returned into active football only on January 2003, joining Serie C2
club Nocerina
. On September 2003 he then made a comeback to Empoli
, in search for an experienced goalkeeper, thus returning to play into Serie A as second choice behind former Italian international
Luca Bucci
. In the following 2004–05 season, now in Serie B
, Balli then returned to play football regularly and helped his side to win a prompt return to the Italian Serie A. In 2005–06 he played less regularly, also because of the presence of other keepers such as Gianluca Berti
and Sebastián Cejas
. The following two seasons saw Balli being sided by youngster Davide Bassi
for the first choice goalie role. He was released on June 2008, after Empoli went relegated to Serie B.
On 13 February 2009 41-year old Balli accepted to join Serie B
club Pisa
until the end of the 2008–09 season, going on the bench for the 14 February local derby against Livorno
. However on 21 February, eight days after his signing, Pisa announced to have parted company with Balli under player's request, citing the veteran goalie's doubts regarding his fitness conditions as being the main reason for this choice.
Football in Italy
Football is the most popular sport in Italy. The Italian national football team has won the FIFA World Cup 4 times , trailing only Brazil . Italy's club sides have won 27 major European trophies, making them the most successful European nation in the subject of football...
goalkeeper who is currently a free agent.
Career
Grown up in the EmpoliEmpoli F.C.
Empoli Football Club is an Italian association football club located in Empoli, Tuscany, founded in 1920 and played its first official match in 1921.In recent years, the club has all too often been bouncing between Italy's two top divisions...
youth system, Balli spent his early professional years with several Serie C1
Serie C1
Lega Pro Prima Divisione is the name of the third highest football league in Italy. It consists of 36 teams, divided geographically into two divisions of 18 teams each. Until 2008 it was known as Serie C1....
and Serie C2
Serie C2
Lega Pro Seconda Divisione is the name of the fourth highest football league in Italy, the lowest with a professional status. Usually it consists of 54 teams, but in the season 2010–11 the teams are only 49 divided geographically into three divisions of 17, 16 and 16 teams each...
teams (Trento, Mobilieri Ponsacco, Tempio
U.S. Tempio
Unione Sportiva Tempio is an Italian association football club located in Tempio Pausania, Sardinia. Its colors are all-blue.The club played the 2006–07 season in Serie D/Division B, placing first and gaining promotion to Serie C2...
) before to return to Empoli as a reserve keeper in 1992. In 1994 he finally managed to become the first choice for the Tuscan team, being instrumental in two consecutive promotions from Serie C1
Serie C1
Lega Pro Prima Divisione is the name of the third highest football league in Italy. It consists of 36 teams, divided geographically into two divisions of 18 teams each. Until 2008 it was known as Serie C1....
to Serie A
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
. In 1997 he joined Salernitana
Salernitana Calcio 1919
Salerno Calcio, or simply Salerno is an Italian association football club from Salerno, Campania.The club is not the legitimate heir of the former Salernitana Calcio 1919, but there is however a sports continuity between the two companies thanks to Article 52 NOIF of FIGC, and the fact that they...
, obtaining a personal third consecutive promotion with the Campanian side, and playing with them also in the following season, the first in the Italian top flight for Balli.
In 1999, following Salernitana's relegation back to Serie B, he joined ambitious Umbrian Serie B club Ternana
Ternana Calcio
Ternana Calcio is an Italian football club based in the city of Terni, Umbria.The team's colours are red and green.The club was founded in 1925 and refounded in 1993. In its history, Ternana have twice played in Serie A...
, playing more than sixty games in two seasons for the rossoverdi. In 2001 he returned to Tuscany, joining Pistoiese
A.C. Pistoiese
Unione Sportiva Pistoiese 1921 is an Italian association football club, based in Pistoia, Tuscany.At the end of the 2010-11 Eccellenza season, Pistoiese was promoted to Serie D....
, who then were relegated to Serie C1 that season.
Now without a team, 35-year old Balli returned into active football only on January 2003, joining Serie C2
Serie C2
Lega Pro Seconda Divisione is the name of the fourth highest football league in Italy, the lowest with a professional status. Usually it consists of 54 teams, but in the season 2010–11 the teams are only 49 divided geographically into three divisions of 17, 16 and 16 teams each...
club Nocerina
A.G. Nocerina 1910
Associazione Sportiva Giovanile Nocerina is an Italian association football club, based in Nocera Inferiore, Campania.Nocerina in the season 2011-12 plays in Serie B.- Games with Juventus :...
. On September 2003 he then made a comeback to Empoli
Empoli F.C.
Empoli Football Club is an Italian association football club located in Empoli, Tuscany, founded in 1920 and played its first official match in 1921.In recent years, the club has all too often been bouncing between Italy's two top divisions...
, in search for an experienced goalkeeper, thus returning to play into Serie A as second choice behind former Italian international
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
Luca Bucci
Luca Bucci
Luca Bucci is a retired Italian football goalkeeper.-Club career:After a few years in the third and second levels, Bucci made his Serie A debut playing for Parma F.C., in a league match against Udinese Calcio on August 29, 1993...
. In the following 2004–05 season, now in Serie B
Serie B
Serie B, currently named Serie bwin due to sponsorship reasons, is the second-highest division in the Italian football league system after the Serie A. It is contested by 22 teams and organized by the Lega Serie B since July 2010, after the split of Lega Calcio that previously took care of both the...
, Balli then returned to play football regularly and helped his side to win a prompt return to the Italian Serie A. In 2005–06 he played less regularly, also because of the presence of other keepers such as Gianluca Berti
Gianluca Berti
Gianluca Berti is an Italian football goalkeeper, formerly active at professional level in the Italian Serie A, and currently playing with Eccellenza Tuscany outfit Jolly Montemurlo....
and Sebastián Cejas
Sebastián Cejas
Cristian Sebastián Cejas is an Argentine goalkeeper, who is currently signed with Chacarita Juniors. He is also known as Terremoto Cejas .-Career:...
. The following two seasons saw Balli being sided by youngster Davide Bassi
Davide Bassi
Davide Bassi is an Italian footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Sassuolo.-Biography:Born in Sarzana, Liguria, Bassi started his professional career at Tuscany club Massese. In 2005 he returned to Empoli in co-ownership deal. Bassi formally returned to Empoli on 1 July 2006. He became the first...
for the first choice goalie role. He was released on June 2008, after Empoli went relegated to Serie B.
On 13 February 2009 41-year old Balli accepted to join Serie B
Serie B
Serie B, currently named Serie bwin due to sponsorship reasons, is the second-highest division in the Italian football league system after the Serie A. It is contested by 22 teams and organized by the Lega Serie B since July 2010, after the split of Lega Calcio that previously took care of both the...
club Pisa
Pisa Calcio
Associazione Calcio Pisa 1909 is an Italian association football club, based in Pisa, Tuscany. The club was founded in 1909 as Pisa Sporting Club and refounded in 1994 as A.C. Pisa , after the cancellation of the old one because of economical troubles...
until the end of the 2008–09 season, going on the bench for the 14 February local derby against Livorno
A.S. Livorno Calcio
Associazione Sportiva Livorno Calcio is an Italian football club based in Livorno, Tuscany. The club was formed in 1915 and currently plays in Italian Serie B. The team's colors are dark red or maroon...
. However on 21 February, eight days after his signing, Pisa announced to have parted company with Balli under player's request, citing the veteran goalie's doubts regarding his fitness conditions as being the main reason for this choice.