Italy opened its Eurovolley campaign with a dominant 3-0 victory over Sweden at a rain-soaked Piazza del Plebiscito in Naples, overcoming severe weather delays and slippery court conditions in front of nearly 6,000 spectators and Italian President Sergio Mattarella.
Weather Drama and Dramatic Delays in Naples
Planning an international volleyball match in a historic outdoor square always carries atmospheric risks. Stormy weather threatened the fixture throughout the preceding weekend, prompting organizers to weigh contingency plans such as moving the match to the PalaSele arena in Eboli, roughly 90 kilometers away. However, president federale Giuseppe Manfredi dismissed those fears publicly on Sunday, insisting the game would proceed in Naples. Following a final security meeting at the Prefettura on Tuesday, organizers gave the final go-ahead.
The elements still tested everyone involved. Heavy rain forced a 30-minute delay to the opening whistle. Once play finally got underway under the watchful eye of President Sergio Mattarella—who weathered the storm in the stands—players immediately encountered footing issues on the taraflex surface. The opening set required a lengthy stoppage at 22-18 as ground crews rushed to roll out protective tarps while driving rain slicked the court. The first set alone stretched to one hour and three minutes before Italy closed it out 25-22.
How Italy Sealed the Straight-Set Victory
Head coach Ferdinando De Giorgi deployed a starting lineup featuring Giannelli-Romanò, Lavia and Bottolo, Galassi and Sanguinetti, Balaso libero. Romanò led all scorers with 13 points, steering the squad through turbulent weather and tactical adjustments.
In the second set, Sweden capitalized on the disjointed rhythm to claim a brief 11-10 advantage, forcing De Giorgi to burn a timeout. The Scandinavian side fought level until 17-17, whereupon Sanguinetti and an ace from Giannelli ignited a decisive surge to secure a 25-21 win. The third set proved more straightforward as Italy jumped out to a 7-2 lead. The set also marked the competitive return of Alessandro Michieletto, who stepped onto the taraflex for the first time in nearly eight months after coming off the bench at 20-16. Lavia punctuated the sweep with a 100% attacking success rate in the final frame, culminating in an ace for 25-17.
Player Reactions and Institutional Presence
Reflecting on the match, Sanguinetti noted that maintaining psychological focus amidst constant weather interruptions proved the evening’s primary hurdle. Bottolo admitted that the team briefly feared lengthy delays during the heaviest downpours, joking that players kept their fingers crossed and relied on local Neapolitan good-luck charms before the skies finally cleared.
At the final whistle, President Sergio Mattarella descended to the court to congratulate the Italian squad directly, accompanied by government officials and local institutional representatives. The royal-turned-historic square swapped its historic legacy of kings and revolutions for a vibrant volleyball celebration, complete with an appearance of a rainbow over the piazza once the storms subsided.
What Comes Next for the Azzurri
With their opening pool assignment successfully negotiated despite the elements, the Italian national team turns its full focus toward the remainder of the European Championship pool phase. Official tournament schedules and ticketing updates remain available through the Italian Volleyball Federation portal at federvolley.it as the team advances through the tournament bracket.
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