Alan Nine
Italy’s national-team coaches have taken stock of the 2026 season and set out their priorities for 2027, while Scandicci are preparing for their first Women’s Super Cup appearance against Conegliano. On the domestic front, the opening round of SuperLega drew almost 19,000 spectators across six matches.
Italian national teams: Coaches review 2026 and look ahead
Italy’s national-team programmes came under review at the FIPAV Federal Council meeting in Milan, where the technical directors of the senior, youth, beach and sitting volleyball teams presented their end-of-season reports.
Women’s head coach Julio Velasco reflected on a campaign that yielded VNL bronze and European Championship silver. He also highlighted the work at Milan’s Centro Pavesi, where the senior squad, B team and a junior group trained alongside one another.
Men’s head coach Ferdinando De Giorgi addressed the physical problems that affected his squad and their EuroVolley quarter-final defeat by Finland. Despite that disappointment, he emphasised the group’s strength, the impact of new players and the scope for further progress.
Identifying and developing talent will remain central to the youth programmes. In beach volleyball, the priorities include Olympic qualification and a renewed Club Italia development pathway.
Women’s Super Cup: Scandicci seek breakthrough against Conegliano
Savino Del Bene Scandicci head into their first Women’s Super Cup appearance with confidence restored by their derby victory over Firenze.
Standing between them and the trophy in Bari are Prosecco DOC A. Carraro Imoco Volley Conegliano. Scandicci head coach Marco Gaspari called for an aggressive defensive performance to counter their opponents’ physical presence and technical quality.
Caterina Bosetti stressed the need to play with confidence in a one-off final, while Conegliano are determined to reclaim the trophy after missing out last season.
Head coach Daniele Santarelli warned that the performances which had brought Conegliano four league wins would not necessarily be enough against Scandicci, demanding a higher level from his players.
Italian leagues: SuperLega draws nearly 19,000 on opening weekend
The opening round of the 2026/27 SuperLega attracted 18,737 spectators, averaging more than 3,100 across its six fixtures.
Verona recorded the biggest crowd, with 4,755 watching the match against Civitanova. Cuneo’s return to the top flight drew 4,302 for the visit of Perugia, while 4,081 attended Modena–Trento.
In women’s Serie A1, Kiera Van Ryk and Paola Egonu share the scoring lead after four rounds with 91 points apiece. Van Ryk also heads the serving charts with nine aces.
Among the latest round’s standout team figures, Vallefoglia converted 48 per cent of their attacks, while Firenze recorded 15 blocks.
Abroad: Chaumont stay perfect, Levski retain Super Cup
Chaumont maintained their unbeaten start in France with a 3-0 victory over Sète (25-15, 25-23, 25-20), moving provisionally clear at the top on nine points.
Hiago Crins earned MVP honours with nine points, including four blocks, while Shay Liberman contributed ten points and four aces.
In Turkey, the AXA Sigorta Kupa Voley quarter-final draw has set up a men’s clash between Halkbank and Fenerbahçe, with the round scheduled for 10–11 November.
The women’s quarter-finals, on 18–19 November, pair VakıfBank with Nilüfer, Zeren with Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe with THY, and Eczacıbaşı with Aras Kargo. All ties will be decided over one match, hosted by the higher-placed team from last season.
Levski Sofia claimed a fourth consecutive Bulgarian Super Cup, following a straight-sets semi-final win over Lokomotiv Avia with a 3-1 victory against Neftochimic Burgas in the final.
In Russia, Italian setter Mattia Boninfante played throughout as Zenit Saint Petersburg opened their league campaign with a straight-sets victory over VK Gorky.
Ofelia Malinov also made a winning start to her time in China, helping Beijing Arctic Ocean claim a pre-season tournament title in Haikou.
Youth volleyball: FIVB confirms 2027 World Championship calendar
The FIVB has confirmed the hosts and dates for four age-group World Championships in 2027.
Astana will host the women’s Under-19 indoor championship from 5 to 15 August, followed by the men’s competition in Pune from 19 to 29 August.
The beach volleyball calendar features the Under-19 World Championships in Puebla from 13 to 17 October, before Roi Et stages the Under-21 competition from 26 to 31 October.
