BU17WCH_B_CUB_ROU_045

David-Gabriel and Luca Onute have shared a volleyball court since their earliest days in mini volleyball.

That journey has brought the brothers to Doha, Qatar, where they are part of Romania’s first team to compete at the FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U17 World Championship.

“To represent Romania at the World Championship is an honor, a joy and a great achievement for both of us,” David said.

BU17WCH_B_CUB_ROU_044

David-Gabriel Onute (No. 10) and Luca Onute (No. 19) together on the court in Doha, where their shared volleyball journey has reached the world stage.

Romania opened its Pool B campaign against defending champion Italy, facing the winner of the inaugural edition in its first match in the competition. The Romanians pushed Italy in a close opening set before eventually losing in straight sets.

Their first win followed against Cuba, with Romania earning a 3-0 victory at Al Arabi Sports Hall. It was the country’s first victory at the Boys’ U17 World Championship and another moment David and Luca could experience together.

Among all the moments they have shared in volleyball, David still goes back to where it all began.

“I would relive our first mini volleyball match together because it was the first match of our careers, and I played it alongside my brother,” David said.

Reaching this point has required the support of a family that made volleyball part of everyday life. With two young players pursuing the sport, training, travel and other commitments became part of the family routine.

“Our family has always supported us and made many sacrifices so that we could play volleyball,” Luca said. “They took us to training and always encouraged us during difficult times.”

The brothers have also had each other to lean on through the more difficult parts of the journey.

“Having him by my side has helped me greatly because he has made it much easier for me to overcome difficult moments,” David said.

That support goes both ways.

“We always encourage and support each other,” David said.

KIMP1996

David-Gabriel Onute prepares to serve for Romania during the Boys’ U17 World Championship in Doha.

Luca has found motivation in the way his brother responds when things do not go his way.

“One of the most important lessons I have learned from my brother is never to give up, even when things do not go the way I would like,” Luca said.

It is also the quality Luca admires most in David.

“My brother’s greatest quality is his ambition,” Luca said. “He never gives up and motivates me to become better.”

While much of their volleyball journey has been shared, each brother is also beginning to make his own mark.

Luca earned individual recognition in 2025 when he was named MVP of the Romanian Boys’ U13 Mini Volleyball Championship final tournament while playing for CSS Zalau. His team finished second after a 3-1 loss to CSM Bucuresti in the final.

The World Championship has brought another step in their journey, this time on a stage Romania had not reached before. As members of the country’s first Boys’ U17 World Championship team, David and Luca are part of a new chapter for Romanian volleyball while continuing to build their own.

KIMP2154

Luca Onute celebrates with his Romania teammates during their historic first Boys’ U17 World Championship campaign.

Luca hopes their journey will ultimately be remembered for something more personal beyond results and individual recognition.

“I would like us to be remembered as two close-knit, hardworking and ambitious brothers who always supported each other and gave everything for volleyball,” Luca said.

In Doha, they are already getting the chance to build that story together.