Seven completed editions. One silver medal. Italy’s long wait for a VNL podium ended in Ningbo.
The Azzurri and the VNL: A Long Wait for the Podium
Italy entered the Volleyball Nations League in 2018 as one of the most decorated men’s national teams in the sport. The Azzurri had already built a global reputation through World Championship, European Championship and World League success, but their early VNL record did not match that wider history.
Italy competed in every completed men’s VNL edition, yet failed to qualify for the final round in 2018, 2019 and 2021. The breakthrough came gradually: a first semifinal in 2022, another fourth-place finish in 2023, and a five-set quarterfinal defeat in 2024.
The wait ended in 2025. Ferdinando De Giorgi’s team reached the VNL final for the first time and took silver after losing to Poland in Ningbo. Later that year, the same generation successfully defended Italy’s world title, confirming its place among the strongest teams of the current era.
Quick Facts
| Category | Record |
| Completed VNL editions | 7 (2018, 2019, 2021–2025) |
| VNL titles | 0 |
| Total VNL medals | 1 (silver) |
| Best finish | Silver (2025) |
| First VNL semifinal | 2022 |
| First VNL final | 2025 |
| Consecutive Finals appearances | 4 (2022–2025) |
| Head coach | Ferdinando De Giorgi (since August 2021; first VNL in 2022) |
| Captain in 2025 | Simone Giannelli |
| Top scorer, 2025 Preliminary Phase | Alessandro Michieletto – 117 points in 8 matches |
Italy VNL Results by Year
| Year | Final Position | Finals Status / Key Result |
| 2018 | 8th | Did not qualify for the Final Six |
| 2019 | 8th | Did not qualify for the Final Six |
| 2020 | — | Tournament cancelled due to COVID-19 |
| 2021 | 10th | Did not qualify for the Final Four |
| 2022 | 4th | Beat the Netherlands in QF; lost to France in SF and Poland in bronze match |
| 2023 | 4th | Beat Argentina in QF; lost to USA in SF and Japan in bronze match |
| 2024 | 5th | Lost the quarterfinal to France 2–3 |
| 2025 | Silver | Beat Cuba and Slovenia; lost the final to Poland 0–3 |
Italy VNL Medal Matches
| Year | Medal | Opponent | Score | Host City |
| 2025 | Silver | Poland | Lost 0–3 (22–25, 19–25, 14–25) | Ningbo, China |
Note: Italy also played two bronze medal matches, losing to Poland in 2022 and Japan in 2023. Both results produced fourth-place finishes, not medals.
Season-by-Season History
2018–2019 – Eighth Place in the First Two Editions
Italy were one of the original core teams when the VNL replaced the World League in 2018. Core status guaranteed participation in the competition, but it did not guarantee a place in the final round.
Under Gianlorenzo Blengini, the Azzurri finished eighth in both 2018 and 2019. That left them outside the six-team Finals in each of the first two editions. The team remained competitive internationally, but the VNL breakthrough had not yet arrived.
Final results: 8th place in 2018 and 8th place in 2019.
2020 – Tournament Cancelled
The 2020 Volleyball Nations League was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. No men’s or women’s edition was played that year.
2021 – A Young Team in the Rimini Bubble
The VNL returned in 2021 with every match played in Rimini, Italy, under a single-site bubble format. Italy entered a young squad guided by Antonio Valentini, while the main national-team group prepared for the Tokyo Olympics under Gianlorenzo Blengini.
Despite hosting the competition, Italy did not receive an automatic place in the semifinals. Only the top four teams advanced, and the Azzurri finished tenth. It was a developmental campaign rather than a serious medal run, but several players from that roster later became important members of the senior team.
Final result: 10th place; did not reach the Final Four.
2022 – First Semifinal, but No Medal in Bologna
Italy made a major step forward in 2022, the first VNL season coached by Ferdinando De Giorgi. They completed the Preliminary Phase with a 10–2 record and 31 points, finishing first in the standings before the Finals in Bologna.
In the quarterfinal, Italy recovered from losing the opening set to defeat the Netherlands 3–1 (21–25, 25–22, 25–13, 25–22). Their first VNL semifinal ended in a 0–3 defeat to eventual champions France, and Poland then won the bronze medal match 3–0 (25–16, 25–23, 25–20).
Fourth place was disappointing on home court, but the tournament showed that Italy had become a genuine contender. A few weeks later, the Azzurri defeated Poland in the final of the 2022 World Championship, with Simone Giannelli named tournament MVP and Best Setter.
Final result: 4th place. QF: beat the Netherlands 3–1. SF: lost to France 0–3. Bronze match: lost to Poland 0–3.
2023 – Another Semifinal and Another Fourth Place
Italy arrived at the 2023 Finals in Gdańsk as reigning world champions. They produced one of their best knockout performances in the quarterfinal, sweeping Argentina 3–0 (25–17, 25–13, 25–14).
The semifinal was far more difficult. The United States defeated Italy in straight sets (25–19, 25–18, 25–19), sending the Azzurri into a second consecutive bronze medal match. Japan then won a dramatic five-set contest 3–2 (25–18, 25–23, 17–25, 17–25, 15–9) to claim its first VNL medal.
Italy had now reached the last four in consecutive editions, but both runs ended in fourth place. The team had established consistency at the Finals without yet converting it into a podium finish.
Final result: 4th place. QF: beat Argentina 3–0. SF: lost to USA 0–3. Bronze match: lost to Japan 2–3.
2024 – Quarterfinal Defeat to Eventual Champions France
Italy completed the 2024 Preliminary Phase in third place with nine wins and 27 points. At the Finals in Łódź, they faced France in the quarterfinal and twice moved one set ahead.
France responded both times and won the tie-break, taking the match 3–2 (19–25, 25–20, 22–25, 25–22, 15–11). The French went on to win the title, while Italy were ranked fifth among the four quarterfinal losers according to the competition’s classification rules.
The summer remained significant for the Azzurri. At the Paris Olympics, Italy reached the semifinals before losing to France and then the United States, finishing fourth overall.
Final result: 5th place. Quarterfinal: lost to France 2–3 in Łódź.
2025 – Silver in Ningbo: Italy’s First VNL Medal
The 2025 campaign finally ended Italy’s wait for a VNL podium. The Azzurri finished the Preliminary Phase in second place with ten wins, two losses and 28 points. Alessandro Michieletto led the team with 117 points in eight appearances during the first stage.
Italy opened the Finals against Cuba, who were making their first appearance in the knockout stage. De Giorgi’s team won 3–1 (25–18, 25–19, 20–25, 25–21). Michieletto scored 17 points and Kamil Rychlicki added 16.
The semifinal against Slovenia became the defining match of Italy’s VNL history. Michieletto delivered 26 points, including three aces and four blocks, while captain Simone Giannelli added three aces. Daniele Lavia scored 12 and Rychlicki 11 as Italy won 3–1 (25–22, 22–25, 25–21, 25–18). The victory guaranteed the country’s first VNL medal and first appearance in the final.
Poland controlled the gold medal match. An incorrect Italian rotation submitted for the second set created additional disruption, but Poland were the stronger team throughout and won 3–0 (25–22, 25–19, 25–14). Italy left Ningbo with silver – their first podium finish in seven completed editions.
The result became part of an even larger achievement later in 2025. Italy successfully defended the men’s World Championship title, beating Bulgaria in the final to claim a fifth world crown.
Final result: Silver. QF: beat Cuba 3–1. SF: beat Slovenia 3–1. Final: lost to Poland 0–3.
Key Players in Italy’s VNL History
Simone Giannelli (Setter / Captain)
Giannelli is the tactical centre of Italy’s attack and the captain of the team that reached the 2025 VNL final. His distribution, serving and leadership have shaped the De Giorgi era. He was the MVP and Best Setter of the 2022 World Championship and contributed three aces in the 2025 VNL semifinal against Slovenia.
Alessandro Michieletto (Outside Hitter)
Michieletto was the leading offensive figure in Italy’s first medal-winning VNL campaign. He scored 117 points in eight Preliminary Phase matches, followed by 17 against Cuba and 26 against Slovenia at the Finals. Later in 2025, he was named MVP of the World Championship after Italy defended the title.
Kamil Rychlicki (Opposite)
The Luxembourg-born, naturalised Italian opposite gave Italy an important second scoring option in Ningbo. He produced 16 points in the quarterfinal against Cuba and 11 in the semifinal against Slovenia, helping prevent opponents from focusing exclusively on Michieletto.
Daniele Lavia (Outside Hitter)
Lavia combines reception stability with reliable attacking from the left side. His 12 points in the 2025 semifinal were an important part of Italy’s balanced performance, and his all-round play has made him a regular contributor throughout the De Giorgi era.
Fabio Balaso (Libero)
Balaso anchors Italy’s backcourt defence and serve reception. His control in first contact allows Giannelli to run the fast, varied offence that has defined Italy’s strongest VNL campaigns.
Simone Anzani (Middle Blocker)
Anzani has provided experience, blocking intelligence and leadership in the middle. His ability to read opposing setters and close the block has been valuable across several editions, including Italy’s 2025 run to the final.
Memorable Match: Michieletto’s Semifinal Masterclass
Italy 3–1 Slovenia (25–22, 22–25, 25–21, 25–18) – VNL 2025 Semifinal, Ningbo
No match better represents Italy’s VNL breakthrough than the 2025 semifinal against Slovenia. The teams split the first two sets, and the contest remained open until Italy gained control through stronger serving and blocking.
Michieletto produced 26 points – the highest total in either semifinal – with 19 attacks, four blocks and three aces. Giannelli added another three aces, while Lavia and Rychlicki gave Italy enough balance to prevent Slovenia from building its defensive plan around one hitter.
When Lavia scored the final point of the fourth set, Italy had crossed the barrier that stopped them in 2022 and 2023. The Azzurri were in a VNL final for the first time, and their first medal was guaranteed before the gold medal match had begun.
Head Coaches in the VNL Era
| VNL Editions | Coach | Key Result |
| 2018–2019 | Gianlorenzo Blengini | Italy finished eighth in both editions |
| 2021 | Antonio Valentini | Guided the young VNL roster in the Rimini bubble |
| 2022–2025 | Ferdinando De Giorgi | First semifinal in 2022 and first medal in 2025 |
De Giorgi became senior national-team head coach after the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, so 2022 was his first VNL campaign in charge. Under him, Italy won the 2021 European Championship, the 2022 and 2025 World Championships, reached the Paris 2024 Olympic semifinals and earned its first VNL medal in 2025.
Italy VNL Records at a Glance
| Category | Record |
| Total medals | 1 (silver, 2025) |
| Best finish | 2nd place, 2025 |
| First semifinal | 2022, Bologna |
| First final | 2025, Ningbo |
| Consecutive Finals appearances | 4 (2022–2025) |
| VNL final record | 0 wins, 1 loss |
| Bronze medal match record | 0 wins, 2 losses |
| Best Finals scoring performance | Alessandro Michieletto – 26 points vs Slovenia, 2025 SF |
| Top scorer in 2025 Preliminary Phase | Alessandro Michieletto – 117 points in 8 matches |
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Italy ever won the men’s VNL?
No. Italy’s best result is the silver medal won in 2025. Poland defeated Italy 3–0 in the final in Ningbo.
When did Italy first reach the VNL semifinals?
Italy reached the semifinals for the first time in 2022 at the Finals in Bologna. They returned to the last four in 2023 and 2025.
Why did Italy not win medals in 2022 and 2023?
Italy lost both the semifinal and the bronze medal match in each edition. Poland won the 2022 third-place match 3–0, while Japan won the 2023 bronze medal match 3–2.
Who is Italy’s men’s national-team head coach?
Ferdinando De Giorgi has led the senior team since August 2021. His first VNL campaign was in 2022, when Italy reached its first semifinal.
Who was Italy’s top scorer in the 2025 VNL Preliminary Phase?
Alessandro Michieletto scored 117 points in eight matches. He then scored 17 in the quarterfinal and 26 in the semifinal.
What happened to Italy in VNL 2024?
Italy lost a five-set quarterfinal to eventual champions France in Łódź and finished fifth overall.
How many times has Italy reached the VNL Finals?
Italy qualified for four consecutive Finals from 2022 through 2025. They did not reach the final stage in 2018, 2019 or 2021.
Was Italy an original core team in the VNL?
Yes. Italy was one of the original core teams when the competition launched in 2018. The core/challenger distinction was removed when the VNL expanded to 18 teams per gender in 2025.
What is Italy’s record in VNL medal matches?
Italy have played three medal matches: two bronze matches and one final. They lost all three, but the 2025 final still secured the silver medal.
Quick Summary
- Italy finished eighth in 2018 and 2019 and tenth in 2021 before reaching four consecutive Finals from 2022 to 2025.
- The Azzurri placed fourth in both 2022 and 2023, then lost a five-set quarterfinal to France in 2024.
- Italy won their first VNL medal in 2025, beating Cuba and Slovenia before losing the final to Poland.
- Alessandro Michieletto led the breakthrough with 117 Preliminary Phase points and a 26-point semifinal performance.
- The 2025 silver remains Italy’s best men’s VNL result through the end of the 2025 edition.
Coverage note: This article covers completed men’s VNL editions through 2025. The 2026 tournament will be added after it concludes.
Last updated: July 2026
Be the first to comment