Turin, August 31, 2025 – In a thrilling finale to the FIPAV Cup Men Elite quadrangular tournament, the Italian men’s volleyball team, the Azzurri, defeated the Netherlands 3-1 at the PalaVela arena here on Saturday night. The victory seals a perfect record for Italy in the four-team event, serving as a crucial tune-up ahead of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship in the Philippines, set to begin on September 12.
The match, which drew a passionate crowd to the iconic Turin venue, unfolded with the intensity expected from two competitive European sides. Italy, under the guidance of head coach Ferdinando “Fefè” De Giorgi, dropped the opening set but roared back to win the next three: 25-22, 25-20, and 25-19 after a tight 23-25 loss in the first. This result caps off a flawless performance in the tournament, where the Azzurri also secured victories in their previous matches to top the standings undefeated.
De Giorgi, known for his innovative rotations and emphasis on blending youth with experience, experimented extensively with his lineup amid some injury concerns. With key opposite hitter Yuri Romanò sidelined for recovery and middle blocker Alessandro Gargiulo limited, the coach handed significant minutes to emerging talents like opposite Francesco Sani, who started and played the full match alongside outside hitters Giovanni Sanguinetti, Luca Porro, and Mattia Bottolo. Veteran setter Riccardo Sbertoli orchestrated the offense, while libero Domenico Pace anchored the defense. Substitutes like middle blockers Simone Anzani and Marco Galassi provided timely boosts in the front row.
The first set was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading points in a rally-heavy exchange marred by errors from the Dutch side. The Netherlands, plagued by unforced mistakes, edged ahead late to claim a 25-23 win, but Italy quickly adjusted. In the second and third sets, the Azzurri maintained equilibrium early before unleashing decisive runs— a smooth 25-22 in the second and a more aggressive 25-20 in the third—to tie and then take the lead. The fourth set saw Bottolo and Porro elevate their attacks under Sbertoli’s precise sets, exploiting the Netherlands’ fatigue and defensive lapses to close out the match convincingly at 25-19.
“It was a balanced game, but our ability to adapt and push in the key moments made the difference,” De Giorgi said post-match. “This tournament was about testing combinations and giving opportunities to those with fewer minutes. The result is positive, but the real focus is the World Cup.” Standout performers included Sani with consistent scoring, Bottolo for his explosive finishes, and Sbertoli for his steady leadership. The Dutch, despite their resilience, struggled with consistency, committing numerous errors that Italy capitalized on.
The FIPAV Cup Men Elite, organized by the Italian Volleyball Federation (FIPAV), featured Italy, the Netherlands, and two other undisclosed teams in a round-robin format. For the Azzurri, this quadrangular victory—often referred to as a “quadrangolare” in Italian sports parlance—provides momentum heading into the global showpiece. The World Championship in the Philippines, co-hosted across multiple venues from September 12 to 28, will see 32 nations vie for the title. Italy, the reigning Olympic silver medalists and recent Volleyball Nations League champions, enter as favorites but face a grueling schedule in Group A.
With the tournament win, De Giorgi can now fine-tune his squad for the international challenge. “The course is set for the Worlds,” he added, echoing the sentiment of a relieved and excited team. Fans in Turin celebrated late into the night, waving blue flags and chanting for the Azzurri’s continued success. As Italy shifts focus to Manila, the volleyball world watches closely—this victory in Turin is just the beginning of what promises to be an exhilarating campaign.