Alan Nine
International
GENOA — Italy’s women’s national team opened the AIA AeQuilibrium Cup Women Elite with a hard-fought win at the Palasport in Genoa, edging Serbia 3–2 (25–23, 22–25, 22–25, 25–20, 15–12) in front of around 2,500 spectators. It was a match full of momentum swings, and a clear statement of character from Julio Velasco’s side, who regrouped after going behind and found the right solutions in the deciding set.
For the tournament opener, Velasco started Carlotta Cambi at setter, Merit Adigwe at opposite, Stella Nervini and Loveth Omoruyi on the wings, Dalila Marchesini and Linda Manfredini in the middle, with Eleonora Fersino as libero. Ekaterina Antropova was not on the roster, while Josephine Obossa made her first-ever appearance in the Azzurre jersey.
The opening set stayed level for long stretches, with Serbia holding a slight edge until midway, before Italy’s blocking presence helped turn the tide. The Azzurre moved in front at 17–15, stretched the lead to 20–16, then withstood a late push to close 25–23. Italy again started well in the second (10–8), but Serbia increased their impact at the net and flipped the momentum with a key run from 12–12 to 14–19. Italy tried to respond—sparked by a block from Linda Nwakalor—yet Serbia managed the finish and levelled the match at 22–25.
Serbia carried that confidence into the third set, racing to an early 4–0 lead. Italy reacted, worked back into the frame and even nudged ahead at 13–11, but Serbia stayed composed in the final phase and took the set 22–25 to move within one. Facing the pressure, Italy answered in the fourth: after a long deadlock to 16–16, Omoruyi produced two straight blocks to create the first decisive gap, and Italy’s block-and-defense system became increasingly effective. The Azzurre pulled away to 22–18 and forced the tie-break with a 25–20 close.
In the fifth, Italy kept the initiative. Adigwe led the offense and helped secure a 7–5 changeover advantage, then Italy found the crucial separation at 11–8 and protected it calmly to the finish, sealing 15–12 for their first win of the tournament. The performance was especially encouraging for the ability to respond after trailing, against a young Serbia side that remained consistently competitive. Positive signs came in key moments from Adigwe and Omoruyi, as the group continues its build-up toward the upcoming international commitments of the season.
AIA AeQuilibrium Cup Women Elite — results & schedule: On May 22, Poland beat Turkey 3–2 (22–25, 20–25, 25–22, 25–22, 9–15), and Italy beat Serbia 3–2. The tournament continues on May 23 with Poland–Serbia (17:00) and Italy–Turkey (21:00, live on RaiSport and Sky Sport Arena), then concludes on May 24 with Turkey–Serbia (17:00) and Italy–Poland (21:00, live on RaiSport and Sky Sport Arena).
Italian Transfer Market
Vero Volley Monza continue to look to Belgium as their roster work advances for the new season. The club have added opposite Pierre Perin (pic), arriving from Maaseik, extending a recent trend of Belgian talent moving into the Italian top flight. The move is another early step in a market phase where clubs are already trying to define key roles well before pre-season preparations begin.
Even at this stage, the direction is clear: recruitment is increasingly profile-driven, with teams searching for specific solutions rather than simply collecting names. For Monza, Perin’s arrival adds depth and options as the squad’s balance takes shape for the months ahead.
Beach Volleyball
On the sand, Bibione becomes the focal point as the Italian Club Championship Finals 2026 get underway from May 22 to May 24. The event is defined by scale: more than 850 pairs are expected, representing 65 clubs, with national titles to be awarded across both youth and senior categories.
The Finals are set up as a true festival of beach volleyball—high participation, a dense competitive schedule, and a showcase that brings multiple age groups and levels into the same weekend. For clubs, it is both a results target and a development measuring stick; for spectators, it is a three-day snapshot of the depth of Italian beach volleyball, from emerging talents to established pairings.
