Alan Nine
Volleyball.it closed the June 28 news cycle with a strong international focus, led by Italy’s successful finish to the second week of the Men’s Volleyball Nations League in Ljubljana. Alongside the Azzurri’s victory, the day featured the CEV European League semifinals, an important medical update on Gabi for Brazil, fresh transfer-market activity, and a club reorganization in Italian women’s volleyball.
International
Italy came from one set down to defeat Slovenia 3-1 at Ljubljana’s Stožice Arena, winning 23-25, 25-19, 25-18, 25-20 and closing the Slovenian leg of the Men’s Volleyball Nations League with its fifth victory of the tournament.
The Azzurri climbed to sixth place in the overall standings and remain firmly in contention for one of the eight places at the Finals in Ningbo, with one berth reserved for host nation China.
Alessandro Bovolenta finished as Italy’s top scorer with 21 points, including four aces, while Rok Možič led Slovenia with 19 points. The match also marked Daniele Lavia’s 150th appearance with the senior Italian national team.
Head coach Ferdinando De Giorgi confirmed the same starting lineup that had defeated Brazil, featuring Riccardo Sbertoli, Alessandro Bovolenta, Luca Porro, Mattia Bottolo, Giovanni Sanguinetti, Lorenzo Cortesia, and libero Domenico Laurenzano.
Italy will regroup on July 2 in Cavalese before heading to Japan for the final preliminary week of the VNL, scheduled from July 15 to 19 in the Kansai region.
Elsewhere on the international stage, the Netherlands (phoyo) secured a place in the CEV European League final by defeating Israel 3-1 once again in Doetinchem, following the same result in the first leg.
Coached by Joel Banks, the Dutch side won 25-14, 18-25, 25-22, 25-19, led by Siebe Korenblek with 12 points and Fabian Plak with 10.
It will be the Netherlands’ first European League final since 2012, an important milestone as the national team continues its efforts to return to the Volleyball Nations League.
On the women’s side, Brazil confirmed that captain Gabi (photo) will miss the third week of the Volleyball Nations League in Osaka due to persistent discomfort in her lower back.
The Brazilian federation, together with the medical staff, decided not to risk the outside hitter after medical examinations conducted upon her return from Turkey. Team doctor Julio Nardelli clarified that the current condition is unrelated to the rib injury she sustained during the club season. Her status will be reassessed after the third week of the VNL.
Italian Transfer News
The Italian transfer market produced two notable moves.
Cisterna Volley officially signed libero Francesco Pierri (photo), born in 1999, who returns to the SuperLega after previous experiences with Catania and Taranto.
Pierri arrives from Gioia del Colle, where he spent the last two seasons, and becomes the club’s seventh new signing. Head coach Morato is still looking for one outside hitter and one middle blocker to complete the 2026-27 roster.
In women’s volleyball, Olio Pantaleo Fasano announced the signing of outside hitter Katarina Bulovic.
Bulovic is a 24-year-old Italian player, born in Rovereto, standing 183 cm tall, and arrives after two seasons with Clai Imola.
Her career includes time with the Club Italia development program, a call-up to Italy’s Under-16 National Team, a CEV youth European Championship title, and subsequent experience in both Serie A1 and Serie A2.
International Transfer News
In the United States, League One Volleyball (LOVB) continues to strengthen its roster for the 2026-27 season with four additional international signings.
The latest arrivals are opposite hitter Sheridan Atkinson, Japanese libero Miiku Iwasawa, Brazilian outside hitter Helena Wenk Hoengen, and American outside hitter Lindsay Krause.
Among the highlights are Atkinson’s NCAA career at Long Beach State and Purdue, Iwasawa’s nine seasons with the Saitama Ageo Medics and experience with Japan’s senior national team, Hoengen’s four years with Sesc-RJ/Flamengo, and Krause’s development at the University of Nebraska.
With these announcements, LOVB has now surpassed 25 official signings during the month of June.
Italian Volleyball
Beyond the transfer market, the day also brought an important organizational change in Italian women’s volleyball.
Starting July 1, Volley Offanengo will officially become Dragons Volleyball Offanengo, which will apply for admission to the next Serie A2 season once all administrative procedures have been completed.
Silvia Bressan, previously vice president of Volley Offanengo, will become the club’s new president. Marina Manini will serve as vice president, while Alberto Zaniboni and Vanessa Bressan will join the board of directors.
Born in 1996, Silvia Bressan will also become the youngest club president among all teams competing in Italy’s women’s Serie A1 and Serie A2.
The new organization will carry forward a project that has reached its fifth consecutive season in Serie A2, giving Offanengo a new identity while maintaining its place in Italian women’s volleyball.
