VNL 2026

Giannelli raises 100 career VNL kill blocks as Italy sweep game with Argentina

Cuba shut out Canada in VNL survival clash

Published 11:59, 18 Jul 2026

Argentina (ARG) vs. Italy (ITA) - Pool 9 - Preliminary Phase #115343442

In the first set of the men’s Volleyball Nations League 2026 match between Italy and Argentina in Osaka, Italian setter and captain Simone Giannelli reached an important VNL milestone, raising his 100^th career kill block in the competition. His team celebrated a straight-set win over their South American opponents and climbed to fifth place in the current VNL standings on a 7-4 win-loss record and 23 points. Argentina are 14^th on 3-8 and 10.

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Italian star playmaker Giannelli had 99 VNL kill blocks under his belt before the match, and managed to hit the 100^th mark during the first set of the game against Argentina. In the next sets, he added another two and finished with three stuffs, to which he added four kills in attack. The setter has now piled up 102 career VNL kill blocks, more than any other Italian in the history of the competition.

Opposite Yuri Romano produced a match-high 15 points, including one ace and one block, towards Italy’s 3-0 (25-22, 25-22, 25-22) victory. Outside hitter Mattia Bottolo added another 13. Argentina’s leading scorer – opposite German Gomez – also finished with 13 points.

“Playing a good level of volleyball – this is always important,” Giannelli told VBTV after the match. “I think today we showed a very good level of volleyball against a very good team like Argentina. They gave us pressure with defense, but we were calm and we played our volleyball, so I am proud of my team. But we have another match tomorrow and we have to recover and be present again.”

Argentina vs. Italy - Highlights | Men's VNL 2026

In the first match on Saturday’s program, Cuba swept their crucial clash with Canada in Osaka in straight sets, and secured their survival in the League for next season. Outside hitter Miguel Lopez led the Cubans with two kill blocks and 14 spike kills at a 67% success rate in attack as part of a match-high 16 points towards his team’s 3-0 (25-22, 25-21, 29-27) shutout of Canada. His cross-court teammate Marlon Yant added another 14 points, including two aces and two kill blocks. Their counterpart Skyler Varga led Canada with 15 points, all in attack. Cuba rose to 15^th place on 3-8 and 10, while Canada are second from the bottom, in 17^th place on 1-10 and 10, with only Finals hosts China below them in the table.