The Italian volleyball team is experiencing a golden age. What is the secret?
“It boasts a quality that may be missing in other sports: the perfect sharing between federation, clubs, and coaches. This is the secret that makes our national teams top-notch.”
Let’s talk about the European Championship: what will playing outdoors tonight entail?
“Technically, there are some concerns: there is a risk of rain and humidity can cause problems, it can make the floor slippery. But our sport rightly seizes the opportunity to play important matches and, at the same time, show how beautiful Italy is.”
What kind of national team will we see against Sweden?
“Complete and solid. A team that has recovered Lavia, who was absent from the 2025 World Championship due to a serious injury. And that will have Michieletto back later in the tournament, perhaps already in some matches to be played in Modena. De Giorgi aimed to form a team with three middle blockers and Michieletto, let’s not forget, is one of the four or five best players in the world in that role.”
The star remains Giannelli, though. And Simone is there, as a courageous captain.
“Focusing attention on a great leader like him is right, he has the physique and personality and, together with Michieletto, is the most awaited player. But past World Championships and European Championships have taught us that the team always wins.”
Rivals to fear?
“Certainly Poland, which has that phenomenon Leon, a very fearsome spiker. Slovenia has Mujanovic, an opposite well known to us since he plays in Modena. Finally, Ukraine with Pletnytskyi, a guy with dynamite in his arm.”
Possible surprise?
“Bulgaria with the Nikolov brothers, who reached the final of the World Championship last year.”
And the reigning Olympic champion France?
“They struggled at the beginning of the year and are in a phase of rebuilding. But the Paris 2024 gold remains a testament that commands much respect.”
Italy, however, has an ace up its sleeve.
“Fefè, you say? True. As a very intelligent setter, he has transformed into an ideal head coach in the role of manager. Since he took over the national team five years ago, he has been managing a cycle and this is never easy. Fefè is doing it well.”
Italy at the European Championship, Zorzi: “Volleyball works because everyone plays as a team” | Libero Quotidiano.it
