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Italy kicked off their #EuroVolleyM campaign with a decisive 3-0 victory over Sweden, navigating challenging weather conditions in a historic open-air match in Naples’ Piazza del Plebiscito.
Historic Naples Debut Marred by Weather
The grand opening of the CEV Enel EuroVolley 2026 Men tournament in Naples’ iconic Piazza del Plebiscito was a spectacle to behold, featuring a dazzling light show and a performance by Planet Funk. However, the historic outdoor setting, intended to be a groundbreaking moment for European Volleyball, was soon tested by unexpected rainfall.
Just after the national anthems, the heavens opened, forcing a halt to the proceedings. Despite the concerns about the weather forecast, players from both Italy and Sweden showed remarkable resilience and a commitment to the fans. After a brief interruption, the match resumed, with both teams adapting to the unusual conditions. The initial tempo was cautious, a testament to the rarity of elite volleyball being played outdoors.
Italy Takes Control Amidst Disruptions
Italy quickly found their rhythm, with Mattia Bottolo making a significant impact in the first set, scoring six points. As the hosts built a lead to 22-18, the rain returned, causing a longer delay and raising doubts about the match’s completion. Fortunately, the players’ determination prevailed, and they returned to the court to the cheers of the enthusiastic crowd.
Italy ultimately secured the first set 25-22. The second set saw a repeat of a significant historical encounter, echoing the 1989 EuroVolley gold medal match between the two nations. Yuri Romanò and Daniele Lavia emerged as key scorers for Italy, helping them maintain their advantage and win the set 25-21, despite a strong challenge from Sweden.
Azzurri Seal Straight-Sets Victory
With the persistent threat of rain, Italy was motivated to close out the match swiftly. The Azzurri delivered a commanding performance in the third set, winning 25-17 to secure a clean sweep. This victory earns Italy crucial opening points before they head to Modena to join Pool A.
Key performers for Italy included Yuri Romanò with 13 points, middle blocker Giovanni Sanguinetti with 12 points (and an impressive 90% attack efficiency), and Daniele Lavia with 11 points. No Swedish player managed to reach double digits in scoring.
“We certainly did not show our best Volleyball and it was a very challenging match because of the conditions and the disruptions caused by the weather. However, we embraced the experience and really enjoyed playing in this wonderful arena and for our fans, so we take a lot of positive emotions from this match. This is a very long tournament and we want to improve little by little with each match – so it is important to have secured a victory and the first three points.”
Despite the weather-induced challenges, Italy’s strong start sets a positive tone for their #EuroVolleyM campaign. The team is focused on gradual improvement throughout the tournament.
Source: CEV
