On this day…
Amarcord and volleyball birthdays, Courmayeur Cup, Padova, Superlega newcomers and 2026 Asian Games
Welcome to the 95th episode of VolleyBar, the first one of the week after a (decidedly well-deserved) weekend off.
With EuroVolley 2026 bringing us many new readers, we would like to proudly remind you that this was the very first daily column specifically created to bring together all the major volleyball news of the day in one place.
The various “press reviews”, “daily roundups” written in questionable English, and “volleyball world” columns that have appeared since are nothing more than rather unimaginative imitations, created by the very same geniuses who have repeatedly suggested publishing literal, word-for-word translations of our articles — and, unsurprisingly, most of the news featured in those columns comes from us in the first place.
On September 28, 2025, Italy retain the Men’s World Championship.
Exactly one year ago, Italy defeated Bulgaria 3–1 in the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship final at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Manila: 25:21, 25:17, 17:25, 25:10.
Italy successfully defended the world title they had won in 2022 and claimed their fifth World Championship gold, moving ahead of Poland in the all-time medal table. Bulgaria, meanwhile, reached the World Championship final for the first time since 1970.
The match was played in front of 16,429 spectators, a record attendance for a men’s volleyball match in the Philippines. Alessandro Michieletto was named tournament MVP.
It was also an extraordinary Italian–Bulgarian connection: Gianlorenzo Blengini, Bulgaria’s coach, was facing the country he had coached to the 2022 world title, while Ferdinando De Giorgi was leading Italy to a second consecutive championship.
And there is a remarkable coincidence with today’s volleyball landscape: Italy’s reign lasted exactly one year before Finland eliminated the Azzurri from EuroVolley 2026 in Turin!
Recall that you can read all EuroVolley 2026 news directly here, while calendar with all games, results and gallery updated every day is here.
The same day produced another important result involving one of your regular countries.
Poland defeated Czechia 3–1 in the World Championship bronze-medal match:
25:18, 23:25, 25:22, 25:21.
Poland therefore finished third in Manila, while Czechia completed one of the biggest surprises in the history of the men’s World Championship by reaching the semifinal stage for the first time since 1970.
So September 28, 2025 ended with:
🥇 Italy
🥈 Bulgaria
🥉 Poland
And one year later, Poland are again at the very top of European volleyball, having won EuroVolley 2026 in Milan on September 26!
On this day, at the 2019 Men’s EuroVolley, Poland defeated hosts France 3–0 in the bronze-medal match at the Accor Arena in Paris: 26:24, 25:22, 25:21.
France had been hoping to finish the tournament on the podium on home soil, but the reigning world champions produced a typically efficient performance to claim bronze.
The match came one day after Serbia had defeated France in a dramatic semifinal in front of approximately 13,000 French fans. Serbia won 3–2, including a dominant 15–7 fifth set.
It is a particularly nice anniversary today because Poland and France have just met again at the top of European volleyball: Poland beat France 3–1 in the EuroVolley 2026 final on September 26!
So you have a beautiful seven-year thread:
2019 — Poland bronze, France fourth
2026 — Poland gold, France silver
A proper final also falls on September 28.
On September 28, at the 2016 Asian Men’s Volleyball Cup in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, Iran defeated China 3–1 in the final: 23:25, 25:23, 25:21, 25:21.
Iran recovered after losing the opening set and controlled the match from the second set onwards.
Japan defeated Chinese Taipei 3–1 for bronze on the same day.
The victory continued Iran’s rise as the dominant force in Asian men’s volleyball during that period.
At the 2018 Men’s World Championship, Italy defeated Poland 3–2 in the final match of the third-round pool in Turin: 14:25, 25:21, 18:25, 25:17, 15:11.
Poland had already beaten Serbia 3–0 the previous day, but Italy’s comeback victory complicated the standings. Poland nevertheless advanced to the Final Six alongside Serbia.
The match was played at Pala Alpitour in Turin, and it was one of the key chapters of Italy’s home World Championship.
The irony is quite beautiful for September 28: Italy beat Poland in Turin in 2018; Poland beat Italy in the 2025 World Championship semifinal and then Italy went on to win the title!
And now a much older EuroVolley anniversary.
On September 28, 1977, East Germany defeated the Netherlands 3–1 in the European Championship group stage.
It was the last time Germany defeated the Netherlands at the European Championship before 2019; CEV noted that the Dutch then went on to win their next four meetings with Germany in the competition!
American Chris Marlowe was born in Los Angeles on September 28, 1951.
He was a member of the 1984 U.S. Olympic gold-medal-winning team and also enjoyed an important beach-volleyball career. He later became one of the most recognisable American volleyball broadcasters, covering Olympic volleyball for NBC and eventually becoming the play-by-play voice of the Denver Nuggets.
Iranian opposite Mohammad Mohammadkazem was born in Tehran on September 28, 1985.
He represented Iran from 2005 to 2011 and was part of the generation that established the country as an Asian power.
His honours include:
• Asian Championship silver, 2009
• Asian Games silver, 2010
• AVC Cup gold in 2008 and 2010
• Five Asian Club Championship titles with Paykan
He was also named Best Scorer at the 2007 Asian Championship.
Croatian opposite Katarina Luketić was born in Zagreb on September 28, 1998.
Her career has included clubs in Croatia, France and Italy, including Volero Le Cannet and Zanetti Bergamo.
Japanese libero Akiko Ino was also born on September 28, 1986.
She represented Japan at the 2010 World Championship, where Japan won bronze, and played professionally for clubs including RC Cannes, NEC Red Rockets and Baki-Azeryol.
Her spell with RC Cannes gives us another direct French connection.
There is an unusual birthday coincidence in Philippine volleyball.
Djanel Cheng was born on September 28, 1994, while her younger sister Desiree Cheng was born on September 28, 1996.
Both became professional players after starring at De La Salle University. Djanel is a setter, while Desiree is an outside hitter and captain of Choco Mucho.
Two professional volleyball sisters sharing the same birthday!
The club season is now taking over.
In Italy, Numia Vero Volley Milano have just won the Courmayeur Cup, beating Conegliano 3–1 in the final. It was Gianlorenzo Blengini’s first trophy with Milano, while Eleonora Fersino was named MVP and Paola Egonu scored 30 points: 25:17, 15:25, 25:23, 25:23.
Final Standings:
1. Milano
2. Conegliano
3. Novara
4. Scandicci
Pallavolo Padova recovered from two sets down to beat Fino Kaposvár 3-2, winning the Pokal Kranja in Slovenia. After taking the third and fourth sets 25-21, Padova prevailed 21-19 in a long tie-break. Leo Lukas scored 21 points, Orioli added 14 and Truocchio finished with 11. Padova had beaten Merkur Triglav Kranj 3-0 in the semi-final.
For eight seasons, Superlega newcomers Volley Prata and Tinet, a company based in Oderzo specialising in digital technologies for businesses, have worked together, accompanying the growth of the club all the way to promotion to SuperLega. Tinet operates in four main areas: IT network infrastructure, printing technology for offices and professionals in the printing sector, also through its exclusive distribution of Konica Minolta products, visual technologies, and the design and installation of interactive meeting rooms.
For the 2026/27 season, the company has once again chosen to renew its commitment to Volley Prata, confirming its role as Main Sponsor and continuing a relationship that, over the years, has become much more than a simple commercial partnership.
Speaking about its relationship with Volley Prata and the club’s promotion to SuperLega, Tinet said: “This year, once again, we will be Main Sponsor of Tinet Volley Prata, a choice that for us goes far beyond the value of a sponsorship. It is a shared story that has lasted for eight years and has seen us grow together, season after season, experiencing emotions that probably no one could have imagined when this journey began in Serie B. Today, that journey has brought us to celebrate an extraordinary achievement: promotion to SuperLega.”
And now something about 2026 Asian Games.
Japan continues their dominant run on home soil! The host nation secured their second victory with a commanding straight-sets sweep over Kazakhstan in Pool A: 25:16, 25:14, 25:20.
As a result, both Japan and Pakistan have mathematically punched their tickets to the Quarterfinals. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan will now move on to play in the classification matches.
South Korea secures their second straight victory and officially punches their ticket to the knockout stage! After dropping a tight opening set, the Korean squad bounced back to defeat Chinese Taipei in four sets: 24:26, 25:10, 25:15, 25:23.
With this win, both Korea and China have mathematically secured the two Quarterfinal berths. Meanwhile, Chinese Taipei and the Philippines will now move on to play in the classification round.
Defending champions Iran sweeps Thailand in straight sets to officially lock in their spot in the Quarterfinals: 25:18, 25:18, 25:15.
Qatar takes care of business, securing a straight-sets sweep over Vietnam to stay undefeated and improve to 2-0 in Pool C: 25:23, 28:26, 25:19.
As a result, both Qatar and India have mathematically secured their tickets to the Quarterfinals. Unfortunately, Vietnam and Hong Kong both drop to 0-2 and are officially out of contention for the knockout stage.
China defeated Alas Pilipinas in straight sets, 25:21, 25:20, 25:22, to improve to 2–0 in Pool D.
Alas Pilipinas drops to 0–2 in the pool after the loss.
Pakistan maintains their strong showing at the Asian Games, improving to 2-0 in Pool A after a decisive straight-sets sweep over Uzbekistan: 25:18, 25:18, 25:20.
Meanwhile, Pakistan captain Murad Jahan has expressed his disappointment with the organizers of the Asian Games over what he described as several logistical issues affecting the team.
According to Jahan, their bus driver took the team to the wrong gymnasium, leaving them with only about an hour before their match and little to no time to properly warm up.
He also said that on some occasions, after returning from training, the hotel restaurant was already closed, leaving them without access to food.
He described the situation as “embarrassing and unacceptable,” calling for better arrangements for the participating athletes.
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