Alan Nine
Italy’s women reached the Mediterranean Games final without dropping a set, while Iran completed an unbeaten campaign by winning the Men’s Under-17 World Championship for the first time.
Italy’s senior national teams also continued their preparations for EuroVolley, with the men preparing for their 100th meeting with Brazil and the women turning their attention to Monday’s round-of-16 match against Bulgaria.
International
Italy defeated Greece 3-0 in Taranto to secure their place in the women’s Mediterranean Games final.
Carlo Parisi’s team won 25-22, 25-14 and 25-22 and will face Turkey in Sunday’s gold-medal match at 17:00.
Italy have yet to drop a set in the tournament. They finished top of Pool A after recording straight-sets victories over Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt and Serbia before extending their unbeaten run in the semi-final.
Josephine Obossa led the scoring against Greece with 14 points, while Alice Bolzonetti and Linda Manfredini contributed 12 each.
Italy’s men will complete their FIPAV Cup Men Elite campaign against Brazil at the PalaRescifina in Messina on Sunday at 21:00.
The match will be the 100th meeting between the two national teams. Italy lead the head-to-head series 60-39 and won their most recent encounter 3-1 in the Volleyball Nations League on June 26.
The match will be broadcast live in Italy on Rai Sport and Sky Sport Arena.
At the Hubert Jerzy Wagner Memorial in Krakow, hosts Poland began their campaign with a 3-2 victory over Slovenia, led by Bartosz Bołądź’s 24 points.
France defeated the United States 3-0, winning 28-26, 25-21 and 25-23. The Americans committed 23 service errors during the match.
Women’s EuroVolley
Italy returned to training in Brno ahead of Monday’s EuroVolley round-of-16 match against Bulgaria.
Julio Velasco’s team trained at the BVV Exhibition Centre, where the match will be played, and will complete their preparations with a final session on Sunday.
Middle blocker Denise Meli said Italy must focus on their own systems and impose their style of play against the Bulgarian side coached by Marcello Abbondanza.
The match will begin at 16:00 on August 31 and will be broadcast in Italy on Rai 2, Sky Sport Arena and DAZN.
Youth International
Iran won the Men’s Under-17 World Championship in Doha with a 3-1 victory over France in the final.
Iran won 25-18, 25-15, 22-25 and 25-12, completing the tournament without suffering a defeat and claiming their first world title at this age level.
Sina Hazrati scored 19 points and was named the tournament’s most valuable player. Arash Ashrafi contributed 17 points and Azhvan Namazi added 16, while Antonin Bonnard led France with 22.
Brazil claimed the bronze medal after recovering from a set down to defeat Argentina 3-1.
International Transfer News
Italian setter Ofelia Malinov has reportedly emerged as a possible target for Brazilian champions Dentil/Praia Clube.
The club are searching for a replacement for Macris, who will be unavailable for the 2026/27 season during her pregnancy.
No agreement has been reached. According to Volleyball.it, Praia Clube are assessing whether the financial resources required to complete the move can be secured.
Malinov, 30, is currently training with Novara during preseason.
SuperLega
Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza completed the first week of their preseason preparations with a double training session.
Assistant coach Samuele Papi praised the players’ fitness levels, professionalism and attitude towards their work. The intensity of both the physical and technical sessions is expected to increase next week.
Alessandro Bovolenta will join the group when training resumes on Monday afternoon.
