Italy knocked out of European Championship in quarter-final heartbreak
The Italian men's volleyball team has been eliminated from the 2026 European Championship in a stunning five-set defeat to Finland, ending the host nation's run in the quarter-finals before a home crowd in Torino. The 2-3 loss at the PalaVela on Friday denied Italy a place in the semi-finals in Milano and ended a perfect six-win streak in the tournament.
Giuseppe Manfredi, president of the Italian Volleyball Federation (FIPAV), acknowledged the depth of disappointment the following day. "The disappointment is high, not just mine. We expected to reach Milano," Manfredi told ANSA. He said the players struggled to speak after the match, describing it as "a bad evening" but insisting he could not believe the team had lost its desire to win overnight.
De Giorgi's position secure despite upset
The defeat has prompted questions about the national team's direction and the future of head coach Ferdinando De Giorgi. Manfredi moved quickly to quell speculation, defending the coach who led Italy to European gold in 2021 and World Championship gold in 2022. "I don't think we can talk about a total disaster," Manfredi said. "I don't think the conditions exist" to terminate the coach's contract.
De Giorgi's contract was renewed in April 2024 and runs through the 2026 European Championship, with a review scheduled for December 2026 and the possibility of extending to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Manfredi noted that the technical level of international volleyball has risen sharply. "They are all matches at a higher level than two or three years ago," he said. "We cannot blame our boys for anything."
The federation will still discuss the loss in a federal council meeting. "We will talk about it, obviously. As always, we will take stock with Velasco, Mencarelli, De Giorgi," Manfredi said.
Match analysis: how the lead slipped away
Italy began the match with authority in Torino, taking the first set 25-21 behind strong serving from Yuri Romanò, who scored eight points with an 86% attack positivity rate, and powerful hitting from Giovanni Sanguinetti and Daniele Lavia. The second set proved pivotal: Italy held a set point at 26-25 before Finland fought back to win 28-26, shifting the match's momentum.
The psychological impact showed in the third set, where Italy appeared disoriented and fell 16-25. Head coach De Giorgi's substitutions failed to stem the tide. The Azzurri showed character in the fourth set, controlling play and closing it out 25-20 with a four-point run in the final stages to force a tie-break.
In the deciding fifth set, Italy led 5-2 and later 11-8, appearing close to victory. Finland responded with a 5-1 run, overturning the score to 13-12. Despite a late Italian equaliser, Finland sealed the match 15-13 with two consecutive points. Luka Marttila and Joonas Jokela were instrumental in the Finnish comeback.
Recovery and returning players
The national team will now look ahead to the next Volleyball Nations League and the World Championship, where Manfredi noted Italy has had greater fortune recently than at the Europeans. Captain Simone Giannelli and the group remain committed to rebuilding from the defeat.
Two players will return to consideration: Alessandro Michieletto, who missed much of 2026 with a stress fracture in his lower back and a subsequent foot injury but returned during the group stage, and Giovanni Gargiulo, who withdrew from national team duty for personal reasons before the tournament. Manfredi said the federation "does not see particular difficulties in believing in this path" despite the bitter exit.
