Italy men's national volleyball team facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Italy

Nickname(s)	Gli Azzurri (The Blues)
Association	FIPAV
Confederation	CEV
Head coach	Ferdinando De Giorgi
FIVB ranking	3 (as of September 2014)
Uniforms
Home 　 Away
Summer Olympics
Appearances	13 (First in 1976)
Best result	Silver: (1996, 2004, 2016) Bronze: (1984, 2000, 2012)
World Championship
Appearances	19 (First in 1949)
Best result	Gold: (1990, 1994, 1998, 2022) Silver: (1978)
FIVB World Cup
Appearances	8 (First in 1989)
Best result	Gold: (1995) Silver: (1989, 2003, 2015) Bronze: (1999)
European Championship
Appearances	29 (First in 1948)
Best result	Gold: (1989, 1993, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2005, 2021) Silver: (1991, 2001, 2011, 2013, 2023) Bronze: (1948, 1997, 2015)
Website	federvolley.it

The Italy men's national volleyball team plays for Italy in big international volleyball games. The team is managed by the Italian Volleyball Federation, which is in charge of Volleyball in Italy. They are known as Gli Azzurri, meaning "The Blues."

Italy is one of the most successful volleyball teams ever. They have won four World Championships (in 1990, 1994, 1998, and 2022). They also won seven European Championships (in 1989, 1993, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2005, and 2021). The team also won one World Cup in 1995 and eight World League titles. Italy was the World champion in 2022.

Team Achievements

In 1989, Julio Velasco became the coach for Italy's men's team. He quickly led them to win the European Championships that year. His team won this championship two more times in 1993 and 1995. They also earned a silver medal at the World Cup in 1989.

From 1990, the Italian team dominated world volleyball for five years. They won gold medals at the World Championships in 1990 and 1994. They also won the World League multiple times. The team earned a silver medal at the 1996 Olympic Games. Julio Velasco left the team in 1996. During his time, he helped create a "Golden Team" with famous players like Zorzi, Andrea Gardini, Giani, and Bernardi.

Olympic Games

Italy has competed in the Olympic Games many times. They have won three silver medals and three bronze medals.

     Champions       Runners up       Third place       Fourth place

Olympic Games record
Year	Position	Squad
1976	8th	Squad
1980	9th	Squad
1984	Bronze	Squad
1988	9th	Squad
1992	5th	Squad
1996	Silver	Squad
2000	Bronze	Squad
2004	Silver	Squad
2008	4th	Squad
2012	Bronze	Squad
2016	Silver	Squad
2020	6th	Squad
2024	4th	Squad

World Championship

Italy has won the World Championship four times. They are the current champions, having won in 2022.

     Champions       Runners up       Third place       Fourth place

World Championship record
Year	Position	Squad
1949	8th	Squad
1956	14th	Squad
1962	14th	Squad
1966	16th	Squad
1970	15th	Squad
1974	19th	Squad
1978	2nd	Squad
1982	14th	Squad
1986	11th	Squad
1990	1st	Squad
1994	1st	Squad
1998	1st	Squad
2002	5th	Squad
2006	5th	Squad
2010	4th	Squad
2014	13th	Squad
2018	5th	Squad
2022	1st	Squad
2025	Qualified	Squad

World Cup

Italy has won the World Cup once, in 1995. They have also won silver and bronze medals.

     Champions       Runners up       Third place       Fourth place

World Cup record
Year	Position	Squad
1981	7th	Squad
1989	2nd	Squad
1995	1st	Squad
1999	3rd	Squad
2003	2nd	Squad
2011	4th	Squad
2015	2nd	Squad
2019	7th	Squad

European Championship

Italy has won the European Championship seven times. Their most recent win was in 2021.

     Champions       Runners up       Third place       Fourth place

European Championship record
Year	Position	Squad
1948	3rd	Squad
1951	8th	Squad
1955	9th	Squad
1958	10th	Squad
1963	10th	Squad
1967	8th	Squad
1971	8th	Squad
1975	10th	Squad
1977	8th	Squad
1979	5th	Squad
1981	7th	Squad
1983	4th	Squad
1985	6th	Squad
1987	9th	Squad
1989	1st	Squad
1991	2nd	Squad
1993	1st	Squad
1995	1st	Squad
1997	3rd	Squad
1999	1st	Squad
2001	2nd	Squad
2003	1st	Squad
2005	1st	Squad
2007	6th	Squad
2009	10th	Squad
2011	2nd	Squad
2013	2nd	Squad
2015	3rd	Squad
2017	5th	Squad
2019	6th	Squad
2021	1st	Squad
2023	2nd	Squad
2026	Qualified as host	Squad

Mediterranean Games

Italy has a strong record at the Mediterranean Games, winning seven gold medals.

• 1959 — gold medal
• 1963 — silver medal
• 1975 — silver medal
• 1979 — Fourth place
• 1983 — gold medal
• 1987 — bronze medal
• 1991 — gold medal
• 1997 — Fourth place
• 2001 — gold medal
• 2005 — Fifth place
• 2009 — gold medal
• 2013 — gold medal
• 2018 — gold medal
• 2022 — bronze medal

Team Information

Current Roster

This is the team roster for the 2024 Summer Olympics.

Head coach: Ferdinando De Giorgi

Coach History

Many coaches have led the Italian men's national volleyball team over the years. Some notable coaches include:

• Pietro Bernardi (1947)
• Renzo Del Chicca (1949-1953)
• Ivan Trinajstic (1953-1966)
• Odone Federzoni (1969-1974)
• Carmelo Pittera (1978-1982, 1988)
• Silvano Prandi (1983-1986)
• Julio Velasco (1988-1996)
• Paulo Roberto de Freitas (1996-1998)
• Andrea Anastasi (1998-2002, 2007-2010)
• Gian Paolo Montali (2002-2007)
• Mauro Berruto (2010-2015)
• Gianlorenzo Blengini (2015-2021)
• Ferdinando De Giorgi (2021-present)

Most Appearances

Here are the players who have played the most games for the Italian national team:

Team Sponsors

Kit Providers

Different companies have made the team's uniforms over the years:

Sponsorship

The team has many important sponsors. These include main sponsors like DHL, Kinder (Ferrero SpA), Honda, and Mizuno. Other sponsors are Santal, Diadora, EthicSport, Reaxing, Crai, Nutrilite, Uliveto, and Winform.

Media Coverage

Italy's volleyball matches and friendly games are shown on TV by RAI and Rai Sport.

See also

In Spanish: Selección de voleibol de Italia para niños