By Marco Bianchi
August 25, 2025
Verona, Italy – Daniele Lavia Italian volleyball star Daniele Lavia will miss the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship in the Philippines, scheduled for September 12–28, after sustaining a severe right-hand injury during a national team training session. The news, confirmed by the Italian Volleyball Federation (FIPAV) on August 23, 2025, deals a significant blow to the reigning world champions as they prepare to defend their 2022 title.
Injury Details and Recovery
Lavia, a 25-year-old outside hitter for Trentino Volley and a key member of Italy’s national team, suffered a crushing trauma to his right hand in an accidental fall during training in Verona. Medical evaluations revealed compound and exposed fractures to the fourth and fifth finger phalanges, necessitating urgent surgery. The procedure, performed by Dr. Massimo Corain and Dr. Francesco Giardini at Borgo Trento Hospital’s Hand Surgery Unit, successfully reconstructed the bone and tendon tissues, with Lavia’s hand now immobilized in a custom brace.
According to FIPAV, Lavia will begin rehabilitation in approximately two weeks, but the injury’s severity rules him out of the World Championship. Recovery timelines suggest he may also miss part of Trentino Volley’s 2025–26 SuperLega season, prompting the club to publicly demand accountability from FIPAV, hinting at potential legal action over “economic-financial responsibilities” due to the significant loss of their star player. A post on X by @Volleyball_it stated, “Durissimi i toni di Trentino Volley: si valuteranno anche responsabilità economico-finanziarie con la FIPAV,” reflecting the club’s frustration.
Impact on Italvolley continue whats next
Lavia’s absence is a major setback for Italy, coached by Ferdinando “Fefè” De Giorgi, as they gear up for the World Championship. A veteran of the 2021 European Championship and 2022 World Championship victories, Lavia was a cornerstone of the team’s recent successes, including a silver medal at the 2025 Volleyball Nations League (VNL). His powerful spiking and versatility, praised by Dao Sport, made him a linchpin alongside teammates like Alessandro Michieletto and Simone Giannelli.
De Giorgi now faces the challenge of reshaping the lineup, with players like Mattia Bottolo, Luca Porro, and Francesco Sani likely to see increased roles. The team, in its final training phase in Verona, included 16 players for the pre-World Championship camp, as reported by La Stampa. Lavia’s injury, noted in a post by @keifornal on X, adds to concerns about roster depth, especially with Slovenia’s Rok Mozic also potentially sidelined by a knee injury.
What’s Next? Continues
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In a devastating blow to the Italian men’s national volleyball team, star outside hitter Daniele Lavia will miss the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship, scheduled for September 12–28 in the Philippines, due to a severe hand injury sustained during a training session. The injury, described as a “multi-fragmentary compound fracture with associated tendon injuries” to his right hand, has sparked significant concern for both Lavia’s recovery and Italy’s title defense. This article, optimized for Google SEO with keywords like “Daniele Lavia injury 2025,” “Italvolley World Championship,” and “volleyball injury updates,” provides the latest details on the incident, its impact on the team, and the broader implications for the sport. Written with clarity and grammar-checked precision, we aim to deliver comprehensive insights for volleyball fans and sports enthusiasts following this unfolding story.
The Injury: What Happened?
On August 23, 2025, during a training session with the Italian national team in Verona, 25-year-old Daniele Lavia suffered a severe injury after an accidental fall. According to the Italian Volleyball Federation (FIPAV) and multiple sources, including La Stampa and WorldofVolley, Lavia sustained a “trauma da schiacciamento” (crush injury) to his right hand, resulting in compound and exposed fractures to the phalanges of his fourth and fifth fingers, along with associated tendon damage.
Lavia was immediately attended by the national team’s medical staff and rushed to Borgo Trento Hospital in Verona, where he underwent emergency surgery on the same day. The operation, performed by Dr. Massimo Corain and Dr. Roberto Giardini in the hospital’s hand surgery unit, involved osteotendinous reconstruction and repair of soft tissues. The procedure was reported as “technically successful,” with Lavia’s hand immobilized in a dedicated brace. He was discharged on August 24, 2025, after spending the night without complications.
Recovery Timeline and Impact on Lavia’s Career
The FIPAV and Lavia’s club, Trentino Volley, have indicated that recovery will be a lengthy process. Initial medical assessments suggest Lavia can begin rehabilitation in approximately two weeks, but full recovery is expected to take months, potentially sidelining him for a significant portion of the 2025–26 SuperLega season. Trentino Volley emphasized in a statement that “recovery times will be very long,” underscoring the injury’s severity and its impact on both club and national team commitments.
Lavia, a key figure in Italy’s 2022 World Championship and 2021 European Championship victories, is known for his exceptional receiving skills and precise attacking alongside teammate Alessandro Michieletto. His absence is a significant setback for Italy, the defending world champions, as they prepare to face Ukraine, Belgium, and Algeria in the group stage, with potential knockout matches against France or Argentina.
Team Italy’s Response and Adjustments
The injury forces head coach Ferdinando “Fefè” De Giorgi to reconfigure Italy’s lineup, which was finalized after a training camp in Verona that ended on August 23, 2025. With Lavia sidelined, Mattia Bottolo is likely to step into the starting outside hitter role alongside Michieletto, with Luca Porro and Francesco Sani as probable reserves. This shift introduces uncertainty, particularly for the fourth outside hitter position, as Italy aims to defend its 2022 title.
The FIPAV has expressed gratitude to the Verona hospital’s medical team for their professionalism and is committed to supporting Lavia’s recovery in collaboration with Trentino Volley. Posts on X reflect the team’s resolve, with @VolleyActu quoting Lavia: “The operation went very well. An important step to get back on the court soon and fight alongside my teammates. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support.”
Controversy and Financial Implications
The injury has sparked tensions between Trentino Volley and the FIPAV. In a statement, Trentino Volley hinted at seeking compensation, noting that Lavia’s injury, sustained during national team duties, will cause “remarkable damage” to the club by sidelining him for a significant part of the SuperLega season. The club plans to address “responsibilities, including economic-financial ones,” with federal leaders in the coming days, raising the possibility of a legal dispute.
This situation echoes broader discussions in sports about liability for injuries during international duty. Trentino Volley’s focus is currently on welcoming Lavia back to begin physiotherapy, but the financial stakes highlight the challenges of balancing club and national team obligations.
Public and Media Reaction
The news, first reported on August 23, 2025, via X posts from accounts like @alemichstan and @WofVOLLEY, sent shockwaves through the volleyball community. Fans expressed heartbreak and support, with comments like, “Oh my, that sounds really bad. We are praying for your recovery, Dani 🥹🙏🏻” (@alemichstan). The Italian media, including OASport and Gazzetta.it, emphasized the injury’s impact on Italy’s World Championship prospects, noting Lavia’s role as a “titolare di punta” (key starter).
Sentiment on X reflects a mix of concern for Lavia and frustration over the setback for Italvolley. Posts in multiple languages, including Turkish and French, indicate the global reach of Lavia’s popularity and the sport’s international fanbase.
Broader Context: Italvolley’s Challenges in 2025
Italy’s men’s volleyball team, ranked second globally in 2024 after a silver medal in the Volleyball Nations League, faces a challenging path to retain its world title without Lavia. The team’s recent success, including a 2024 VNL win over the USA led by Lavia’s 15-point performance, underscores his importance. The 2025 World Championship, hosted in the Philippines, is a critical test for Italy, especially after losing the VNL final to Poland.
The injury also highlights the physical toll of volleyball, a sport with increasing injury reports. Recent cases, such as Fabio Balaso’s surgery for Cucine Lube Civitanova and Roberto Russo’s microdiscectomy for Sir Susa Vim Perugia, reflect the demands on elite players.
What’s Next? Continues
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As of August 25, 2025, Lavia is resting and preparing for rehabilitation, with Trentino Volley and the FIPAV coordinating his recovery plan. The national team will continue preparations without him, with De Giorgi likely finalizing roster adjustments before departing for the Philippines. Fans and analysts await updates on Lavia’s progress, with hopes he can return for the latter part of the SuperLega season.
For the latest developments, search “Daniele Lavia injury 2025” or follow @WofVOLLEY and @VolleyActu on X. The volleyball community is rallying behind Lavia—share your messages of support below and stay tuned as Italvolley navigates this challenge.
Public and Team Response
The volleyball community has rallied around Lavia, with fans and teammates expressing support online. A post by @alemichstan on X read, “Get well soon, Daniele 🥹💔🙏🏻,” capturing the sentiment of fans worldwide. Trentino Volley’s statement emphasized the loss of their star, with one X user, @matheus96b, noting it as a rare instance of a club publicly holding a federation accountable for a player’s injury.
Lavia, known for his positive demeanor and social media presence—amassing 400,000 TikTok views in Thailand, per sport.quotidiano.net—has not yet commented publicly but is expected to focus on recovery. His absence may shift Italy’s strategy, relying more heavily on Michieletto and Rychlicki, who shone in the VNL semifinals, according to Eurosport.
Looking Ahead
As Italy prepares for the World Championship without one of its brightest stars, the focus will be on De Giorgi’s ability to adapt. The tournament, a critical defense of Italy’s 2022 title, will test the team’s depth against top competitors like Poland and Brazil. For Lavia, the road to recovery begins, with hopes of returning stronger for club and country.
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Marco Bianchi is a sports journalist covering European volleyball and international competitions.