VNL 2022

Italy’s VNL roster packed with European champions

The hosts of this year’s Finals in Bologna announce 25-strong squad

Published 06:00, 03 May 2022

Simone Giannelli in action for Italy

The 14 players who battled for Italy’s biggest success in 2021, the CEV European Championship title, were all included in the national team roster for the upcoming Volleyball Nations League 2022. Head coach Ferdinando De Giorgi also called up Italian volleyball star Ivan Zaytsev, who returns to the squad.

De Giorgi announced a list of 25 athletes who will start preparing for the 2022 season, which also includes the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship and the Mediterranean Games.

Ivan Zaytsev captained Italy at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics

The roster includes EuroVolley MVP Simone Giannelli and Dream Teamers Fabio Balaso, Daniele Lavia and Alessandro Michieletto (MVP of last year’s U21 World Championship). With Zaytsev returning to the national team after skipping the continental championship, the number of Olympians from Italy’s 12-men squad that finished sixth at Tokyo 2020 stands at seven.

Italy will begin their VNL 2022 campaign on June 12 in Ottawa, Canada. Then they will play in pools in Quezon City, Philippines and Gdansk, Poland, before hosting the VNL Finals in Bologna from July 20 through 24.

Italy men’s national team roster:

Setters: Marco Falaschi, Paolo Porro, Riccardo Sbertoli, Simone Giannelli

Opposites: Giulio Pinali, Ivan Zaytsev, Tommaso Stefani, Yuri Romano

Outside hitters: Alessandro Michieletto, Daniele Lavia, Davide Gardini, Fabrizio Gironi, Francesco Recine, Mattia Bottolo, Oreste Cavuto

Middle blockers: Fabio Ricci, Gianluca Galassi, Leandro Mosca, Lorenzo Cortesia, Marco Vitelli, Roberto Russo, Simone Anzani

Liberos: Alessandro Piccinelli, Fabio Balaso, Leonardo Scanferla

“The choices made for this Volleyball Nations League are part of a wider project that includes the Mediterranean Games and the activities of the U22 national team. They will allow me to observe and keep an eye on an extended number of athletes who will all be eligible over a long summer. The concept of active participation is fundamental. Each player will have to show a desire to improve, a sense of belonging to the values of the blue jersey and a desire to sacrifice themselves for their teammates.” Ferdinando De Giorgi, head coach of Italy