Alan Nine
Italy’s national teams dominated the day’s volleyball news across three different competitions. The women comfortably defeated Egypt at the Mediterranean Games, the men’s Under-17 team discovered their first opponents in the knockout stage of the World Championship, and the men’s sitting volleyball team maintained their unbeaten record at the European Championship Division B.
Meanwhile, preparations for the domestic season gathered pace as several SuperLega clubs returned to training.
Mediterranean Games
Italy recorded their second consecutive victory in the women’s tournament with a 3-0 win over Egypt at the PalaMazzola in Taranto.
Carlo Parisi’s team won 25-10, 25-15 and 25-6, following their opening straight-sets victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Italy controlled the first set from the outset. Egypt remained level until 12-12 in the second before the hosts pulled away, while the third quickly became one-sided as Italy turned a 5-2 advantage into a 16-4 lead.
Linda Manfredini led the scoring with 15 points, while Josephine Obossa added 12.
Italy will complete their Pool A campaign against Serbia on Wednesday, August 26 at 20:00. The semifinals are scheduled for August 29, followed by the medal matches the next day.
Youth International
Italy will face Argentina in the round of 16 at the Men’s Under-17 World Championship in Doha on Tuesday, August 25 at 13:00 Italian time.
Francesco Conci’s team finished third in the overall standings after winning all three of their group matches, behind only France and Iran. Argentina qualified in 14th place.
The tournament was reduced to 20 teams following four withdrawals, with the top 16 in the combined standings advancing to the knockout stage.
The quarterfinals will be played on August 27, followed by the semifinals on August 28 and the medal matches on August 29.
Sitting Volleyball
Italy’s men remain unbeaten at the European Championship Division B in Brno after recording straight-sets victories over Georgia and Slovenia.
The Azzurri defeated Georgia 25-15, 25-22 and 25-13 before beating Slovenia 25-16, 25-20 and 25-21.
Those results took Italy’s record to four wins from four, following their earlier victories over Latvia and the Czech Republic.
Marcello Marchesi’s team will face France at 09:00 and Lithuania at 14:00 on Tuesday. The coach described it as the most difficult and potentially decisive day of the tournament.
Italy’s objective is to finish in the promotion places and secure a return to the European Championship Division A.
Women’s EuroVolley
Having already secured their place in the round of 16, Italy return to action against Slovakia at the Scandinavium in Gothenburg on Tuesday at 16:00.
The Azzurre have won their opening three Pool D matches without dropping a set. Slovakia remain in contention for one of the group’s four qualifying places following their five-set defeat by Croatia.
Italy have won all five previous meetings between the two national teams.
The match will be broadcast live in Italy on Rai 2, Sky Sport Uno, Sky Sport Arena and DAZN.
SuperLega
Cuneo Volley have begun preparations for their second consecutive SuperLega season with a reshaped squad and Acqua Sant’Anna as their new main sponsor.
Head coach Matteo Battocchio said that avoiding relegation remains the immediate objective, while stressing that humility and ambition must go hand in hand.
The club have already sold more than 1,000 season tickets after attracting an average attendance of 3,250 during the previous regular season.
Cucine Lube Civitanova began their preseason programme with medical examinations and fitness tests, followed by an organisational meeting led by chief executive Albino Massaccesi, sporting director Marko Podraščanin and head coach Giampaolo Medei.
Five first-team players were present alongside several academy prospects.
At Itas Trentino, Marcelo Méndez began his second season in charge with a reduced training group. The opening phase of preparation will focus primarily on individual technique and physical conditioning.
Trento will also return to the Champions League after receiving a wild card from the CEV.
