Italvolley, fifth straight win and sixth place in the VNL

Italy scores its fifth straight win in the Volleyball Nations League. With a performance full of grit, the Azzurri secured their fifth victory in the competition and climbed to sixth place in the overall standings—a race that is becoming increasingly tight and competitive for the eight spots in the Finals in Ningbo, China, with one spot already reserved for the host nation. At the Stožice Arena in Ljubljana, packed to capacity, the team led by head coach Ferdinando De Giorgi came from behind to defeat the host Slovenian team 3-1 (23-25, 25-19, 25-18, 25-20), at the end of an intense and spectacular match.

Led by captain Daniele Lavia, Italy built on its victory over Brazil, confirming the team’s excellent form. The contribution of the entire roster—both the starters and those who came off the bench—was decisive, a factor particularly appreciated by the Italian head coach even after the match against Brazil. For Daniele Lavia, moreover, the evening in Slovenia marked an important personal milestone: his 150th appearance with the senior national team.

The victory in Ljubljana marks Italy’s eleventh win in its seventeen previous official matches against Slovenia. This result further bolsters the Azzurri’s ambitions ahead of the third and final week of the VNL, scheduled to take place in Kansai, Japan, from July 15 to 19.