The Italy Women's Volleyball Team has wrapped up a productive week of preparations with a decisive 3-0 victory over France at PalaIgor in Novara, marking their second consecutive clean sweep of the French side in two days. The result—26-24, 25-14, 25-18—signals that head coach Julio Velasco's experimental lineup is gaining momentum ahead of the 2026 Volleyball Nations League (VNL), which kicks off in Brasilia on June 3.
Why This Matters
• Depth Testing: Velasco fielded several debutantes across both matches, building a broader talent pool ahead of the VNL and the 2028 Olympic qualification cycle.
• Youth Breakthrough: Loveth Omoruyi (23 years old) earned MVP honors with 12 points, reinforcing her status as one of Italy's rising stars.
• Final Tune-Up: The AIA AeQuilibrium Cup Women Elite in Genova (May 22–24) will pit Italy against Serbia, Turkey, and Poland before departure for Brazil on May 31.
Emerging Talent Takes Center Stage
Rather than relying on the Olympic gold medal core that triumphed in Paris 2024, Velasco used the French friendlies to evaluate younger squad members. Stella Nervini and Loveth Omoruyi each tallied 12 points in the Friday victory, showcasing the offensive depth Italy can deploy throughout the grueling VNL calendar. Omoruyi, who plays as an outside hitter for Megabox Ondulati Del Savio Vallefoglia in Serie A1, was crowned Best Attacker at the 2022 European U21 Championship and formed part of the Paris gold-medal squad. The Confederation of European Volleyball (CEV) labeled her "The Next Big Thing in Volleyball" back in 2021, and her consistent performances this week validate that projection.
The two-day series in Piedmont—starting with a sweep in Biella on Wednesday and concluding in Novara on Friday—drew enthusiastic crowds and allowed Velasco to rotate liberally. The Federazione Italiana Pallavolo (FIPAV) confirmed that the squad completed intensive training sessions at the Centro Federale Pavesi in Milan, focusing on tactical adjustments and physical conditioning before the Nations League opener against Bulgaria on June 3.
Rest and Regroup Before Genova
Following the France matches, the entire roster was granted a brief rest period. Players are scheduled to reconvene at the Centro Federale Pavesi on May 18 for final preparations ahead of the AIA AeQuilibrium Cup Women Elite, a four-nation tournament hosted at the Palasport di Genova from May 22 to 24. That event will feature Poland, Turkey, Serbia, and Italy in a round-robin format, offering a stiffer test than the friendly series against France. Italy will face Serbia on May 22, Turkey on May 23, and Poland on May 24, providing Velasco with a last opportunity to fine-tune rotations and assess match fitness under competitive pressure.
For Genova, the tournament represents a high-profile return of elite women's sport to the Ligurian capital and serves as a critical rehearsal for the VNL phase one in Brasilia, where Italy opens against Bulgaria before meeting Brazil on June 7 at 19:30 CEST. The Azzurre will then continue to the Philippines (June 17–21) and Hong Kong, China (July 8–12) before the VNL finals in Macao, China (July 22–26).
Strategic Load Management for Stars
Velasco's decision to field experimental lineups during the France friendlies reflects a broader strategy of load management for Italy's most established players. Alessia Orro, Myriam Sylla, Anna Danesi, and Paola Egonu—all integral to the Paris Olympic gold—are part of a 30-player extended roster but may see reduced minutes in the early VNL weeks. This approach aims to preserve their condition for the 2026 European Championships, which will award the first qualification spot for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
One tactical wrinkle under consideration involves deploying Ekaterina Antropova as an outside hitter, allowing her to share the court with Egonu and dramatically enhancing Italy's firepower. However, such a configuration would require careful calibration of reception and defensive coverage, particularly if both players occupy front-row positions simultaneously.
What This Means for Italian Volleyball Fans
The back-to-back sweeps of France may not have been the most challenging tests on paper, but they provided invaluable competitive reps for fringe players vying for roster spots. For supporters tracking the national team, the emergence of Omoruyi and Nervini adds genuine depth to Italy's attacking options, reducing reliance on a narrow group of veterans and mitigating injury risk over the 12-match preliminary phase of the VNL.
The Centro Federale Pavesi in Milan remains the operational hub for the Azzurre, with all training and roster decisions flowing through that facility. Fans in Genova will have a rare chance to watch world-class volleyball live, as the AIA AeQuilibrium Cup brings Serbia, Turkey, and Poland—all top-10 FIVB-ranked teams—to the Palasport for three days of elite competition.
Looking Ahead to Brazil
Italy's VNL campaign carries significant weight beyond the immediate competition. Velasco, appointed by FIPAV in November 2023 and formally beginning his tenure in January 2024, has built his coaching philosophy around discipline, emotional intelligence, and problem-solving within game scenarios. His emphasis on developing "players" rather than merely skilled athletes means the VNL serves as both a proving ground for new talent and a laboratory for tactical experimentation.
The June 7 clash with Brazil in Brasilia will draw particular attention. Brazil remains a perennial powerhouse, and a strong showing would signal that Italy's depth exceeds that of most rival programs. The match is scheduled for 19:30 Italian time, making it accessible for domestic television audiences despite the time-zone difference.
Between now and the May 31 departure for Brazil, the coaching staff will finalize the traveling roster and make any necessary adjustments based on performance in Genova. While the Olympic champions remain the core of the program, Velasco's willingness to integrate youth ensures that Italy's post-Paris cycle begins with momentum and a clear pathway for succession planning.
The Broader Picture
The two victories over France, combined with the upcoming Genova tournament, form part of a deliberate pre-VNL conditioning cycle designed to peak in late June and early July. With 18 nations competing and a grueling travel schedule spanning three continents, squad rotation and player health will be critical. Velasco's track record—including previous success with the Italian men's national team in the 1990s—suggests he understands the fine balance between competitive intensity and athlete preservation.
For Loveth Omoruyi, named MVP in Novara, the trajectory continues upward. At just 23, she holds a World U20 title (2021), European U21 gold (2022), and an Olympic gold medal (2024). Her ability to deliver in high-pressure moments, combined with her 185 cm frame and explosive attack, makes her a fixture in Italy's long-term plans. Similarly, Stella Nervini's 12-point outing confirms her readiness for senior international competition.
As the Azzurre head into their rest period, the sense within the program is one of controlled optimism. The VNL 2026 will test every facet of Italy's roster, but the foundation laid during this week at the Centro Federale Pavesi and the competitive minutes in Piedmont have provided a solid platform. The real examination begins May 22 in Genova, when Italy faces three of Europe's finest squads in rapid succession.
