The Malta Independent 24 April 2024, Wednesday
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Getting to know… Karl Izzo and his lifelong dream

Stephen Calleja Sunday, 24 October 2021, 11:30 Last update: about 4 years ago

Malta’s national waterpolo team coach Karl Izzo is living his dream.

When he was young, he wanted to be a waterpolo coach, and today he is. Izzo, who is also Malta’s non-resident ambassador to Montenegro, is a coffee-lover and a fan of an Italian top singer.

But who would he bring back from the dead, if he could?

What was the last book you read?

Una porta nel cielo – Roberto Baggio

Who is your favourite author?

Andrea Camilleri  

What was the last film you watched?

Luzzu (excellent) and since I love Italian movies ‘Perfetti Sconosciuti’

Which film have you seen multiple times and enjoyed every time you saw it?

La Vita e Bella (Roberto Benigni)

Who is your favourite actor/actress?

Alessandro Gassmann / Anna Valle

What is your favourite TV series?

I Bastardi di Pizzofalcone / Gomorrah / Money Heist

What is your favourite game or sport to watch and play?

Waterpolo and Football 😊

Which team do you support?

Malta (Always) & Sampdoria

Which song would you sing at a karaoke night?

Nata sotto il segno dei Pesci (Venditti)

Who is your favourite singer/band?

Antonello Venditti

Which show/event would you like to attend/have attended?   

Qatar 2022 World Cup Final / Circo Massimo 2001 (Venditti Live concert celebrating Roma Football Championship in front of 100,000 people

What three items would you take with you on a deserted island?

IPAD, Satellite Phone, Toothpaste

Which of the five senses would you say is your strongest?

Taste

What's the most unusual thing you've ever eaten?

Kangaroo

What is that one thing you could not go a day without?

Nespresso Coffee

Which fictional character do you relate to most?

Superman

Do you check your horoscope?

No

What age would you choose if you could be one age forever?

30

What invention would you erase from history?

Cigarettes

Would you like to know the day when you will die?

No

What's your favourite animal?

Dog

What's your favourite type of foreign food? 

Goulash

What is your favourite hobby?

Swimming

What's your favourite season?

Spring

What's your favourite ice cream topping?

Fresh cream

What's your favourite board game?

Backgammon

What is your favourite pizza?

Diavola

What is your favourite colour?

Blue

What is your favourite pasta dish?

Spaghetti ai Ricci di Mare

What is your favourite cartoon show?

Holly e Benji

What did you like to do most during the summer holidays?  

Sliema Pitch from 7am to 11pm

What career did you see yourself in when you were young?

Professional waterpolo coach

What is your best childhood memory?

My Saturday football sessions with Fr Hilary at Centru Sport Edukattiv

Did you learn how to ride a bike?

Yes

Who was your super hero?

Superman

Which toy do you wish to have kept?

My Atari 7800  

What subject did you excel in at school?

Italian

What subject did you dislike the most in school?

Physics

Was there some family tradition that was never missed?

Family birthday dinners at home – A Must

What are the best values you owe to your parents?

Discipline, and always feet on the ground

What would you change about yourself if you could?

To ask for help when needed

What really makes you angry?

Liars and haters

Is your glass half full or half empty?

Half full

Are you a sore loser?

Very

What is your biggest regret?

Not going to university to continue my language studies.

What’s the first thing you look for in a partner and/or friend?

Honesty

What is your greatest fear?

Theme Park rides

What is your life motto?

Live and let live

If you had a warning label, what would yours say?

Stand back

What's one thing that can instantly make your day better?

Positive vibes around and a hug to our Chow Chow Lola 😊

 

If you won the lottery, what would be the first thing you do or buy?

Private plane / Take over an Italian Football Team as President

If you could share a meal with any 4 individuals, living or dead, who would they be?

Gianluca Vialli, Donatella Versace, Antonello Venditti, Monica Bellucci

If you could bring one person back from the dead who’d it be?

Grandfather – Tony Nicholl

If you could time travel, when and where would you go?

Back to my 30s travelling in Italy with my wife Diane Izzo

If you could relive one moment in your life, which would it be?

Wedding day

If you could live anywhere outside Malta, where would it be?

Definitely Italy

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Fish

If you could know the truth behind a secret or mystery, which would it be?

Bermuda Triangle

If you could eliminate one of the seven deadly sins, which one would it be (pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath or sloth?

Greed

If you had to be given a superpower, what would you choose?

Inject haters and liars and turn them into good people

Coffee or tea?

Definitely coffee

Walk or swim?

Swim

Summer or winter?

Summer

Italy or England?

Italy

Restaurant or delivery?

Restaurant

Early bird or night owl?

Early Bird

Fish or meat?

Fish

Mobile phone or TV?

Mobile Phone

Black or white?

Black

Film or TV series?

TV Series

 

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