Alan Nine
As Tuesday, August 18, 2026, began, the latest Volleyball.it news cycle remained focused on the main stories published the previous day. Italy’s senior women’s team had finalized its roster for EuroVolley 2026, the Italy B women’s squad had been selected for the Mediterranean Games, and the men’s Under-20 national team had maintained its perfect record in the WEVZA qualifier.
Beyond the Italian national teams, the day’s coverage also included updates on the international transfer market, the lineup for the Men’s Club World Championship and discussions surrounding the future of the international volleyball calendar.
International
The day’s leading story concerned Julio Velasco’s selection of the 14 players who will represent Italy at the 2026 Women’s European Championship, scheduled to take place from August 21 to September 6 in Turkey, the Czech Republic, Azerbaijan and Sweden.
The Azzurre are due to travel to Gothenburg on August 18, where they will train at the Scandinavium before opening their Pool D campaign against Croatia on Friday, August 21 at 16:00.
Velasco selected setters Carlotta Cambi and Alessia Orro; outside hitters Stella Nervini, Myriam Sylla, Gaia Giovannini and Ekaterina Antropova; middle blockers Denise Meli, captain Anna Danesi, Linda Nwakalor and Sarah Fahr; opposites Merit Adigwe and Paola Egonu; and liberos Ilaria Spirito and Eleonora Fersino.
One notable absentee is Loveth Omoruyi, who was ruled out after sustaining an injury during the Agata Mróz-Olszewska Memorial in Poland.
Another official squad announcement followed later in the day, as head coach Carlo Parisi named the 13 players who will represent Italy B at the 2026 Mediterranean Games in Taranto.
Italy are scheduled to make their debut against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Lecce on Thursday, August 20 at 18:00. They will then face Egypt on August 24 at 17:00 and Serbia on August 26 at 20:00, with both matches taking place in Taranto.
The squad consists of Chidera Blessing Eze, Francesca Scola, Valeria Battista, Alessia Bolzonetti, Beatrice Gardini, Alice Nardo, Alice Tanase, Yasmina Akrari, Linda Manfredini, Dalila Marchesini, Giorgia Frosini, Josephine Obossa and captain Ilenia Moro.
Youth International
Italy’s men’s Under-20 team continued its winning run in the WEVZA qualifier for the 2027 European Championship.
After opening the tournament with a victory over Switzerland, the team coached by Mario Di Pietro defeated Portugal 3-0 in Frankfurt, winning 25-20, 25-22 and 25-17. The tournament winner will qualify directly for the final stage of the European Championship, which will be jointly hosted by Croatia and Montenegro.
Several Italian players made significant contributions. German Khotsevitch led the scoring with 12 points, while Gioele Costa and Davide Bigozzi added 11 apiece. Pietro Valgiovio also played an important role during the closing stages of the second set.
Italy will complete the group stage against Spain on Tuesday, August 18 at 14:00, before moving on to the decisive crossover phase.
Around the World
The latest Mondo Volley roundup broadened the focus beyond the Italian national teams.
Setter Mattia Boninfante has begun his first season in Russia after arriving in St. Petersburg to join Zenit, coached by Vladimir Alekno.
Other updates included the preseason schedules of Consoli Sferc Brescia and Alva Inox Porto Viro, the arrival of Laura Künzler and Lindsey Ruddins at the new Japanese club Aleeza Aichi, and Olivia Babcock’s inclusion among the leading opposites to watch during the 2026 NCAA season.
The eight-team lineup for the 2026 Men’s Club World Championship, scheduled to be held in Poland from December 15 to 20, has also been confirmed.
Defending champions Sir Safety Perugia will be joined by Aluron Zawiercie, Ziraatbank Ankara, Sada Cruzeiro, Renata, Jakarta, Sirjan and Al-Ahly.
Away from the court, the FIVB has opened a new round of consultations on the proposed 2029-2032 international calendar. Representatives of the Volleyball Leagues and Clubs Council are involved in discussions aimed at finding a more sustainable balance between club competitions, national-team commitments and player workload.
Italian Volleyball
In Italy, attention also turned to the second edition of “2gether”, the joint project created by Numia Vero Volley Milano and Igor Gorgonzola Novara.
The two clubs have confirmed that both of their 2026-27 Serie A1 regular-season matches will once again be staged as jointly organized events.
The first meeting is scheduled for the weekend of October 17-18 at the Opiquad Arena in Monza, while the return match will be played on December 26 at the Unipol Forum in Assago.
The initiative is designed to offer supporters a shared matchday experience built around two of the leading clubs in Italian women’s volleyball.
Overall, the latest news cycle delivered several important developments. Italy’s senior women now have their final EuroVolley roster, the Italy B squad for the Mediterranean Games has been announced, the Under-20 men remain unbeaten, and preparations for the upcoming international club season are already gathering pace.
