In Paris 2024, Italy women finally won their first gold medal in volleyball. And they did it under the skilful leadership of Julio Velasco…
Italy never won a gold medal in Volleyball. Neither men or women, in a sport that is absolutely popular in Italy, played almost inside ever school-gym. But this is the past now that Italian women’s volleyball team made history at the Paris 2024 Olympics, securing their first-ever gold medal in the sport with a dominant 3-0 victory over the United States, the former champions.
Italy Volley Made the Dream
This monumental win placed Italy among an elite group of nations that have achieved Olympic glory in women’s volleyball, joining the ranks of the USSR, China, Cuba, Brazil, Japan, and – of course – the United States.
The Italians, ranked number one in the FIVB World Rankings, showcased their prowess throughout the tournament. They maintained impeccable form, culminating in a stunning straight-sets win in the final with scores of 25-18, 25-20, and 25-17.
This victory was not just a reflection of their talent but also a testament to their resilience and strategic brilliance, as they dropped only one set throughout the entire tournament, making their campaign one of the most dominant in Olympic history.
The Big Final
The goden final, held at South Paris Arena, was set up to be a clash of the titans, with Italy facing the defending Olympic champions, the United States. However, from the outset, Italy established their dominance. They took control early in the first set, racing to a 6-1 lead, a margin that the Americans could never overcome. The second set was more competitive, but the Italians managed to pull away in the middle stages, and by the third set, they had all the momentum. Two aces, which extended their lead to 12-6, effectively sealed the match and the gold medal.
Italy’s triumph was powered by the extraordinary performance of their star opposite hitter, Paola Egonu, who led the team with 22 points. Egonu, who has been one of the world’s top volleyball players for years, was unstoppable on the night, delivering powerful spikes and clever dinks that the American defense struggled to contain. Her teammates, Myriam Sylla and Caterina Bosetti, also contributed significantly, with Sylla scoring 10 points and Bosetti adding nine.
Facts and Figures
Team’s synergy was evident as they outperformed the United States in every aspect of the game, including kills (45 to 35), blocks (11 to 0, no block at all on a USA peak line that has been dominated), and aces (7 to 3). This comprehensive display of volleyball excellence ensured that their higher error count (17 to 12) had little impact on the outcome.
For the U.S. team, this silver medal marked their fifth consecutive Olympic podium finish, adding to their silvers from Beijing 2008 and London 2012, bronze from Rio 2016, and gold from Tokyo 2020. However, their quest for back-to-back Olympic titles was thwarted by an Italian team that was simply superior on the day. Even if Olympic said that USA result were much better against Italy.
USA, Only Silver
Despite the efforts of Jordan Thompson, who led the U.S. with eight points, and Avery Skinner, who added seven, the Americans were unable to find a solution to Italy’s relentless attack and impenetrable defense.
The match also highlighted Italy’s growth and rising prominence in international women’s volleyball. Before Paris 2024, Italy had never advanced past the quarterfinals in any Olympic Games. However, their recent successes on the world stage, including a medal at the 2022 World Championships, had hinted at their potential to achieve something special in Paris. Their journey to the gold medal was a testament to the team’s development and determination, as they overcame early setbacks, such as dropping a single set only during their opening match against the Dominican Republic, dominating the rest of the tournament, final included.
The Italian victory was met with ecstatic celebrations both on the court and among their supporters. The South Paris Arena was awash with Italian flags, and chants of “I-ta-lia! I-ta-lia!” echoed throughout the venue as the final points were played. When the final whistle blew, the Italian players collapsed to the floor in a sea of hugs and tears, lifting their veteran libero, Monica De Gennaro, high into the air.
At 37 years old and a four-time Olympian, libero Monica De Gennaro‘s role in Italy’s historic achievement was particularly poignant, symbolizing the culmination of years of hard work and perseverance.
This gold medal not only signifies Italy’s arrival at the pinnacle of women’s volleyball but also serves as an inspiration for the future of the sport in the country. With a squad that blends experience with youthful exuberance, Italy is poised to be a dominant force in women’s volleyball for years to come.
As the Paris 2024 Games come to a close, Italy’s triumph in women’s volleyball will be remembered as one of the most important moments of the Olympics. Their journey from underdogs to champions is a story of skill, strategy and unwavering determination. It is a victory that will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of Italian volleyball players and leave a lasting legacy in the sport.
Who is Julio Velasco
Julio Velasco, the legendary Argentine coach, played an instrumental role in shaping the foundation of Italy’s volleyball success, culminating in the historic gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Velasco revolutionized volleyball in Italy during the 1990s, leading the men’s national team to unprecedented success, including two World Championship titles and numerous other accolades. His innovative coaching methods, focus on teamwork, and strategic acumen transformed Italy into a global volleyball powerhouse. Velasco’s philosophy emphasized mental toughness, adaptability, and the importance of collective effort over individual brilliance.
Coming back to the most important bench that he already led, Velasco for the whole Olympic games said… “this can’t be a nightmare, we can’t always talk about the gold we never won. Or this gold will never be”.
Especially after the men team double defeat in semifinal – against France – and third place final – the golden dream seemed to be tweaked into another nightmare.
And whilst one of his most important players ever, Andrea Giani, was lifting the trophy at the helm of the French men team, Velasco became the wise guide able to realize the most important trophy, the only one that Italy was eagerly waiting for…
