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Italy could hardly have asked for a more unusual opening to their EuroVolley campaign.
The reigning world champions began their continental title quest with a 3-0 (25:22, 25:21, 25:17) victory over Sweden in front of a packed Piazza del Plebiscito in Naples, collecting their first three points in Pool A.
But the result was only part of the story on a night that turned into a small sporting odyssey.
The match, originally scheduled for 21:05, was repeatedly threatened by the weather. Rain delayed the start and, once the game was underway, play was suspended three times as showers swept across the open-air arena in the heart of Naples. The conditions made the court increasingly slippery and forced both teams to deal with an unusual and potentially dangerous playing environment.
It was an extraordinary twist for an event that had been designed to showcase volleyball in one of Italy’s most iconic settings.
Piazza del Plebiscito had been transformed into a temporary volleyball arena capable of welcoming around 6,000 spectators, with the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, among the distinguished guests. The match was sold out, with 5,932 spectators expected inside the arena.
And yet, despite the delays, the interruptions and the uncertainty surrounding the weather, the crowd stayed.
Nobody wanted to miss the historic opening act of EuroVolley 2026.
For Ferdinando De Giorgi’s team, the challenge at times seemed to be as much about managing the conditions as dealing with Sweden.
The rain inevitably affected the rhythm of the match, while the slippery surface required extra concentration on every movement.
Italy nevertheless kept control of the evening and completed a straight-set victory, beginning their European campaign in the best possible way.
The success also continues a long tradition against Sweden: the two teams had last met at a European Championship in 1993, when Italy also won 3-0. Overall, Italy had won 20 of the previous 26 meetings between the two national teams.
There was another positive note for De Giorgi in Naples. Alessandro Michieletto, one of the key pieces of the Italian national team, was able to make his return to the court during the third set, entering when Italy led 20-16. After missing the early part of the tournament build-up, his return represents an important boost for the Azzurri as the competition moves into its decisive stages.
The next chapter will be played in a much more traditional volleyball environment.
Italy and Sweden will now move to Modena and the legendary PalaPanini, where they will continue their Pool A campaign.
Naples, meanwhile, will remain a memorable part of this European Championship. The rain, the delays, the three interruptions and the fear that the opening match might not reach its conclusion could hardly have been included in the original script.
But perhaps that is precisely what made the night unforgettable.
Italy won.
The crowd stayed.
And EuroVolley 2026 finally began!
Either way, about the game, the hosts took a 4-1 lead, and subsequently extended their advantage to 14-9. Sweden tried to stay close in the score, but a block by Mattia Bottolo is worth the 22-17. It was then that the weather intervened again. At 22-18, the rain intensified and the match was interrupted for a second time.
After nearly half an hour, the volleyball players returned to the court, and Italy maintained their concentration, with middle blocker Gianluca Galassi who closed the first set with an attack for 25-22. Due to the interruption, the set lasted a total of 63 minutes!
In the second set, Sweden put up more serious resistance.
After a 9-9 tie, the Scandinavians even took an 11-10 lead, which prompted Ferdinando De Giorgi to call a timeout. Bottolo restored Italy’s lead with an ace for 12-11, and after 17-17, the hosts made the decisive break. Giovanni Sanguinetti gave a two-point advantage, and an ace by Simone Giannelli made it 20-17. Italy closed the set at 25-21.
The third set was significantly calmer for the hosts, who took a 7-2 lead and did not allow Sweden to get back into the match. At 20-16, Alessandro Michieletto also appeared on the court, and Lavia scored the last point for 25-17.
Yuri Romanò was the top scorer for the winners with 13 points, Sanguinetti added 12, Lavia finished with 11, Bottolo with 9, and Galassi with 7. Italy made 6 aces and 6 block points.
Before the match and between the second and third sets, Planet Funk performed for the audience.
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🏐| CEV Enel EuroVolley 2026 | Thursday, September 10, 2026
👉🏼POOL A📍Arena Piazza del Plebiscito Naples
• 21.05 (Local Time) | Italy – Sweden 3-0 (25:22, 25:21, 25:17)
🏐| POOL A STANDINGS (updated on this day)
1. Italy 3
2. Slovakia 0
3. Greece 0
4. Slovenia 0
5. Czech Republic 0
6. Sweden 0
POOL B📍Arena 8888 Sofia
• 16.00 (Local Time) | Poland – Portugal 3-0 (25:12, 25:18, 25:20)
📸| PHOTOGALLERY OF THE MATCH
• 19.00 (Local Time) | Israel – Ukraine 1-3 (22:25, 19:25, 25:22, 19:25)
📸| PHOTOGALLERY OF THE MATCH
🏐| POOL B STANDINGS (updated on this day)
1. Bulgaria 3
2. Poland 3
3. Ukraine 3
4. Israel 0
5. Portugal 0
6. North Macedonia 0
POOL C📍Nokia Arena Tampere
• 20.00 (Local Time) | Finland – Denmark 3-0 (25:22, 25:17, 25:20)
🏐| POOL C STANDINGS (updated on this day)
1. Finland 3
2. Serbia 0
3. Belgium 0
4. Netherlands 0
5. Estonia 0
6. Denmark 0
POOL D📍 BT Arena Cluj-Napoca
• 17.00 (Local Time) | France – Switzerland 3-0 (25:23, 31:29, 25:21)
• 20.00 (Local Time) | Türkiye – Germany 1-3 (25:23, 22:25, 21:25, 19:25)
🏐| POOL D STANDINGS (updated on this day)
1. France 3
2. Germany 3
3. Latvia 3
4. Romania 0
5. Türkiye 0
6. Switzerland 0
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NEXT GAMES: Friday, September 11, 2026
POOL A📍PalaPanini Modena
16.00 (Local Time) | Czech Republic – Greece
21.00 (Local Time) | Slovakia – Slovenia
POOL B📍Arena 8888 Sofia
16.00 (Local Time) | Ukraine – North Macedonia
19.00 (Local Time) | Portugal – Bulgaria
POOL C📍Nokia Arena Tampere
17.00 (Local Time) | The Netherlands – Belgium
20.00 (Local Time) | Serbia – Estonia
POOL D📍 BT Arena Cluj Napoca
17.00 (Local Time) | Germany – Latvia
20.00 (Local Time) | Switzerland – Romania
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👀|QUICK LINKS
• EuroVolley 2026 – Calendar
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