Alan Nine
Italy recovered from a difficult start to defeat Sweden and reach the Women’s EuroVolley semi-finals, where they will face either Poland or the Netherlands.
Serbia also secured their place in the last four, while Italy’s men prepared to begin their final training camp ahead of their own European Championship campaign.
Women’s EuroVolley
Italy recovered from a set down to defeat Sweden 3-1 in Brno and advance to the semi-finals of the CEV Trendyol Women’s EuroVolley 2026.
Julio Velasco’s team won 21-25, 26-24, 25-21 and 25-23, recording their seventh consecutive victory of the tournament and securing Italy’s 13th appearance in the European Championship semi-finals.
Sweden took control of the opening set despite falling 11-6 behind, but the turning point of the match came late in the second. Italy trailed 23-21 before Paola Egonu brought the Azzurre level and Ekaterina Antropova helped them complete the comeback, taking the set 26-24.
Italy carried that momentum into the third, although Sweden once again reduced the deficit to a single point at 21-20. Egonu then led the decisive run as Velasco’s team moved two sets to one ahead.
The fourth set followed a similar pattern. Italy established a 17-12 lead, only for Sweden to respond and move 22-20 in front. The Azzurre then won five of the final six points, with Myriam Sylla converting match point to complete a 25-23 set victory.
Egonu led Italy with 27 points, while Antropova contributed 22 and Sylla added 14. Italy will travel to Istanbul on Thursday and contest their semi-final on Saturday, September 5 against the winners of Thursday’s quarter-final between Poland and the Netherlands.
Serbia reached the EuroVolley semi-finals for the eighth consecutive edition with a 3-0 victory over Greece, winning 25-14, 25-20 and 25-17 in 72 minutes.
Serbia have now finished among the top four at every European Championship since 2011.
Tijana Bošković led the scoring with 17 points, while Aleksandra Uzelac contributed 15 and Branka Tica added 12. Serbia converted 51% of their attacks and recorded seven blocks to Greece’s one. They will face the winners of Thursday’s quarter-final between Germany and hosts Turkey in Istanbul on Saturday.
Men’s EuroVolley
Italy’s men will hold their final training camp before EuroVolley at the PalaBigMat in Florence from Thursday, September 3 to Monday, September 7.
Ferdinando De Giorgi’s team will then begin their European Championship campaign against Sweden in Piazza del Plebiscito in Naples at 21:05 on Thursday, September 10.
Andrea Truocchio has been included as one of four middle blockers, alongside Gianluca Galassi, Giovanni Sanguinetti and Pardo Mati. Alessandro Michieletto remains among the five outside hitters, although his fitness continues to be assessed following a lengthy absence.
Roberto Russo has not been included in the squad for the Florence training camp, and no official information has been released about his condition. Modena will stage 14 Pool A matches at the PalaPanini between September 11 and 17.
Six national teams will compete in the pool, with Italy scheduled to face Greece, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Slovenia in evening matches.
Italian Leagues
Club Italia have confirmed their 14-player squad for the 2026/27 Serie A2 season, with the entire group made up of players born in 2008 or 2009.
Head coach Juan Cichello remains in charge, assisted by Monica Cresta. Mariia Solovei, Stella Caruso and Ludovica Tosini are the only three players retained from last season’s squad.
The federal development team will also compete in the Mimmo Fusco tournament at the E-Work Arena in Busto Arsizio on September 18 and 19.
The four-team event will feature Club Italia, UYBA, Millenium Brescia and VBC Cremonese, with all matches broadcast live on Rai.
In the men’s Serie A3, Plus Volleyball will play their home matches in Cisterna di Latina during the 2026/27 season because the arena in Sabaudia does not meet the league’s venue requirements. The team have already begun their preseason preparations under head coach Michele Totire.
