Italian
Coach De Giorgi has called up 14 players for week 1 of the Volleyball Nations League in Ottawa. Some key players are still absent
ROME – The Italian men’s national volleyball team is about to officially start its summer. After three friendly matches, the Azzurri will gather again tomorrow at the Olympic Preparation Center in Rome and then fly to Ottawa on Saturday to begin week 1 of the 2026 edition of the Volleyball Nations League.
The Technical Commissioner Ferdinando De Giorgi has called up 14 players for this first official appointment. The big names Lavia and Sbertoli are still absent as they will start their preparation in Cavalese with another training group.
The reigning World Champions and silver medalists from the last edition of the VNL (the first ever in the men’s sector) will begin their journey from June 10 to 14 in Ottawa (Canada) where they will face France, Germany, Turkey, and United States. All VNL matches will be visible in Italy live on DAZN, as well as on the streaming platform VVTV.
The call-ups for Week 1
Setters: 2. Paolo Porro, 26. Mattia Boninfante,
Middle Blockers: 20. Pardo Mati, 18. Giovanni Sanguinetti, 25. Giovanni Gargiulo, 30. Leandro Mosca
Outside Hitters: 9. Francesco Sani, 12. Mattia Bottolo, 17. Luca Porro, 24. Mattia Orioli
Opposites: 11. Kamil Rychlicki, 23. Alessandro Bovolenta
Libero: 4. Gabriele Laurenzano, 28. Domenico Pace
The staff consists of: Ferdinando De Giorgi (Head Coach), Roberto Ciamarra (Assistant Coach), Marco Meoni (Assistant Coach), Oscar Berti (Fitness Coach), Piero Benelli (Doctor), Francesco Alfatti (Physiotherapist), Ivan Contrario (Scout), Giacomo Giretto (Team Manager).
Men’s Volleyball Nations League
The schedule of the Azzurri (Italian game times)
Week 1 (June 10-15) Ottawa, Canada
June 10, 10:00 PM: Italy-France
June 11, 10:00 PM: Italy-Germany
June 14, 1:30 AM: Italy-Turkey
June 15, 12:00 AM: Italy-United States
Complete match schedule of the VNL 2026 HERE
Another group at work in Val di Fiemme
A second group of athletes will concurrently train in Val di Fiemme from Wednesday, June 3 to Saturday, June 13.
The summoned for the resumption of work in Cavalese:
Setters: Bryan Argilagos, Riccardo Sbertoli*
Middle blockers: Andrea Truocchio, Lorenzo Cortesia, Francesco Comparoni
Outside hitters: Daniele Lavia, Tim Held, Giulio Magalini, Tommaso Ichino*
Opposites: Tommaso Guzzo, Lorenzo Sala
Libero: Matteo Staforini
*from June 6
To complete the roster of athletes, the blue coach has also invited Alberto Alberini and Federico Roberti to participate in the training camp in Val di Fiemme from June 3 to 6.
Photo Credits: Federvolley.it
