VolleyBar98# : Thursday October 1, 2026

On this day…
World Postcard Day, Amarcord and volleyball birthdays, Vasilijus Matuševas, Michele Pasinato, pre-season and 20th Asian Games.

Welcome October! And welcome to the 98th episode of VolleyBar!

Today, October 1st, is World Postcard Day, a fun opportunity to embrace a little bit of past and to celebrate the connections that can be brought into the present through the simple sending and receiving of postcards!

While the idea for the postcard likely evolved in an undefined number of ways, in a French engraver designed some Paris cards that were meant to be cut and sent through the post, likely the first iteration of modern postcard.

Then, in October, 1869 the government in Austria issued the first official postal card, but It took some time to catch on.
The reason? They were criticized because they could be read by anyone – including servants!
Even so, the convenience and efficiency of the postcard eventually overcame the need for privacy and their popularity continued to grow throughout the world

However, with the advent of the email and internet, the use of the postal service or “snail mail” took a hit and also postcards did too, even if people who still loved sending and receiving postcards wanted to continue into this hobby.
It was in 2005 that Portuguese software engineer, Paulo Magalhães, started an online platform called Postcrossing, dedicated to finding others with whom he could exchange postcards.

Postcrossing itself organized a worldwide celebration for the 150th anniversary of the postcard in 2019 and following year Postcrossing, along with Finepaper, saw to the launching of World Postcard Day as the event that continues to be celebrated annually.

October 1, 2017 is the date of one of the most important finals in recent women’s European volleyball.
Serbia defeated the Netherlands 3–1 in the final at the National Gymnastics Arena in Baku:
25:20, 25:22, 18:25, 25:18.
It was Serbia’s second European title, six years after their first triumph in Belgrade in 2011. The Netherlands took silver for the second consecutive edition.
But the real story was Tijana Bošković. Only 20 years old, the Serbian opposite was named MVP of the tournament, completing an extraordinary rise that had begun with her U19 European title just three years earlier. She scored 29 points in the final, including 26 winning spikes.

The podium was:
🥇 Serbia
🥈 Netherlands
🥉 Türkiye
4️⃣ Azerbaijan
5️⃣ Italy
6️⃣ Russia

And there is an important connection for your current readers: Türkiye won bronze by defeating the hosts Azerbaijan, while Italy finished fifth.

Before Serbia lifted the trophy, Türkiye defeated Azerbaijan 3–1 in the bronze-medal match.
The hosts had dreamed of winning their first EuroVolley medal, but Türkiye spoiled the party and returned to the podium.
It was another important chapter in the development of Turkish women’s volleyball, which has since gone on to become one of Europe’s dominant programmes.
And there is a beautiful connection with 2026: Türkiye’s women’s national team are now European champions, while Daniele Santarelli has been at the centre of their rise. The 2017 bronze was one of the earlier milestones on that road.

Also the FIVB’s beach-volleyball historical archive has a specific October 1 entry: on October 1, 2006, Germany’s Julius Brink and Christoph Dieckmann won the Vitória Open on the FIVB World Tour.
It was the partnership’s second of three World Tour victories.
Brink would later become one of Germany’s biggest beach-volleyball names, winning Olympic gold in London 2012 alongside Jonas Reckermann!

The 2018 World Championship medal matches were played in Turin on September 30, but the international reaction and reporting continued into October 1.
The United States had defeated Serbia 3–2 for bronze, ending a 24-year wait for a World Championship medal. Their previous men’s World Championship medal had been bronze in 1994.
The match finished:
USA 3–2 Serbia
23:25, 25:17, 32:30, 25:19.
And, of course, Poland had retained the World Championship title, beating Brazil in the final.

October 1, 2021 also has a CEV connection.
Ljubljana hosted the 2021 European Volleyball Gala, alongside the Drawing of Lots for the 2022 CEV Champions League.
The choice of Ljubljana was particularly symbolic after Slovenia’s outstanding run at the 2019 men’s EuroVolley, when the home team reached the final after eliminating major powers including Russia and Poland in front of spectacular crowds at Arena Stožice.

Andrea Gardini was born on October 1, 1965, in Bagnacavallo, Italy.
He was one of the defining middle blockers of the great Italian national team of the 1990s and a member of the team recognised as the FIVB’s Best Volleyball Team of the 20th Century.
He won:
🏆 World Championship: 1990, 1994, 1998
🥇 World Cup: 1995
🥈 Olympic Games: Atlanta 1996
🥉 Olympic Games: Sydney 2000

Italy’s three consecutive World Championship titles in 1990, 1994 and 1998 made that generation unique: Gardini was part of all three.
He was inducted into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame in 2007.
And today he turns 61.

Another exceptional volleyball birthday, Viljar Loor was born in Tartu, Estonia, on October 1, 1953.
He became one of the greatest Estonian players ever and was a member of the Soviet Union men’s national team.

His honours are extraordinary:
🥇 1980 Olympic champion
🏆 World champion: 1978, 1982
🏆 World Cup: 1977, 1981
🏆 European champion: 1975, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1983
🏆 European Cup: 1975, 1977, 1982, 1983

With CSKA Moscow he also won seven Soviet championships and the European Champions Cup in 1982.
He died in 2011 at the age of 57, but his international résumé places him firmly among the great players of his generation.

A more contemporary Polish birthday, Grzegorz Łomacz was born on October 1, 1987.
The Polish setter represented his country at the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games, and was part of the generation that won the 2018 World Championship.
He also won major honours with the Polish national team and became one of the experienced setters of the Polish system.
The date therefore gives us another nice Poland connection, especially after Poland’s 2026 EuroVolley triumph. Olympedia confirms his October 1 birth date and Olympic participation.

A particularly important birthday, Brazilian middle blocker Walewska Moreira de Oliveira was born in Belo Horizonte on October 1, 1979.
She became an Olympic champion with Brazil at Beijing 2008, having already won bronze at Sydney 2000. She also won silver at the 2006 World Championship and represented Brazil at three consecutive Olympics.
Her European career included several seasons in Italy, including Perugia, as well as clubs in Spain and Russia.
She died in São Paulo in September 2023, aged 43. Her October 1 birthday is therefore also an opportunity to remember one of Brazil’s most respected middle blockers.

Vasilijus Matuševas, a Lithuanian-born Soviet volleyball player and 1968 Olympic champion, died on October 1, 1989, aged only 43.
He was part of the Soviet team that won the men’s Olympic tournament in Mexico City in 1968.
His career also included a silver medal at the 1970 Summer Universiade in Turin, another small Italian connection.

But now we back to the present: today, Cittadella’s sports hall is officially being named after Michele Pasinato, the legendary Italian opposite who died in 2021.
The ceremony is scheduled for 18:30, inside the arena in his hometown.
Pasinato earned 252 caps for Italy and was part of the national teams that won the 1993 and 1995 European Championships and the 1998 World Championship. He was inducted into the Italian Volleyball Hall of Fame in 2023.

Staying in Italy, Allianz Milano opened its pre-season with a first six-a-side test at Modena’s PalaPanini, where the hosts claimed a 2-1 victory. Milano won the second set 25-20 after dropping the first 24-26, before Modena closed the session 25-20 in the third. Basil Dermaux led Allianz with 14 points, while Seppe Rotty provided a solid contribution in reception. The session also offered the first on-court meeting between brothers Simone and Luca Porro, with Simone featuring for Milano and Luca on the opposite side.

In France, Nice Volley Ball announced two test-matches: today against Montpellier at 17.00 Local Time (won with the score of 3-1 for the hosts), and Saturday vs. Cannes at 15.00 Local Time, while this is not a good moment for Paris Volley.

A Convenience Store Saved the Day at the Asian Games!
During the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, the Uzbekistan men’s volleyball team faced a last-minute uniform crisis just before their match against the host nation. International rules dictate that all players on the court must wear socks of the exact same color and length, but the team had arrived with a mismatched assortment.
With the clock ticking and a potential disqualification looming, they found a lifesaver right next to their hotel: a FamilyMart convenience store. The team quickly purchased enough of the store’s famous “Line Socks” (white with green and blue stripes) to properly outfit the entire roster.
The players noted that the green and blue stripes perfectly matched the colors of the Uzbekistan national flag!

Meanwhile, Pakistan has officially punched their ticket to the Final Four, delivering a dominant performance to sweep India in straight sets during their highly anticipated Quarterfinal clash: 25:19, 25:23, 25:18.
The defending champions stay alive!
Iran avoids a massive upset, pulling off a thrilling come-from-behind victory against South Korea in an intense five-set Quarterfinal battle: 25:23, 18:25, 21:25, 25:20, 15:12.
Down two sets to one, the Iranian squad dug deep to force a decider, leaning on their championship experience to clutch the fifth set. With this hard-fought win, Iran officially advances to the Asian Games Semifinals for an incredible 5th consecutive edition!
The reigning silver medalists are through to the Final Four too: China defeated Thailand in straight sets: 25:23, 25:23, 25:19.
China now moves one step closer to another Asian Games medal!
Host nation Japan delivered an absolute masterclass today, sweeping Qatar in straight sets during their Quarterfinal clash to secure a spot in the Final Four: 25:14, 25:13, 25:12.
Japan officially punches their ticket to the Semifinals, where they will face China in a highly anticipated showdown for a spot in the Gold Medal match.

Kazakhstan fought back from two sets down to defeat Hong Kong in a thrilling five-set battle in the 9–16 classification round: 22:25, 24:26, 25:20, 26:24, 15:11.
With the victory, Kazakhstan advances to the 9–12 classification bracket, while Hong Kong will compete in the 13–16 placement matches.
Chinese Taipei delivered a strong performance, sweeping Kyrgyzstan in straight sets during their classification matchup: 25:18, 26:24, 25:21.
With this victory, also Chinese Taipei advances to the 9-12 classification bracket, while Kyrgyzstan moves to the 13-16 placement matches.
Vietnam secured a straight-sets victory over Uzbekistan in their classification match: 25:22, 25:20, 25:15.
With the victory, Vietnam advances to the 9th–12th classification bracket, while Uzbekistan moves on to the 13th–16th placement matches.
Indonesia wins the battle of sea, securing the victory over Alas Pilipinas in a hard-fought four-set battle in the classification round: 25:23, 24:26, 25:22, 25:21.
With the win, Indonesia advances to the 9–12 classification bracket, where they will face fellow Southeast Asian side Vietnam. Meanwhile, the Philippines drops to the 13–16 placement round and will take on Uzbekistan.

The stage is officially set as the top teams in Asia prepare to go to war for the ultimate prize!
Check out the matchups coming up across all brackets:

Semifinals (1-4)
🇯🇵 Japan – China 🇨🇳
🇵🇰 Pakistan – Iran 🇮🇷

Classification (5-8)
🇮🇳 India – South Korea 🇰🇷
🇹🇭 Thailand – Qatar 🇶🇦

Classification (9-12)
🇰🇿 Kazakhstan – Chinese Taipei 🇹🇼
🇻🇳 Vietnam – Indonesia 🇮🇩

Classification (13-16)
🇭🇰 Hong Kong – Kyrgyzstan 🇰🇬
🇺🇿 Uzbekistan – Philippines 🇵🇭

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