Italy – Searching for World Grand Prix gold

Lausanne, Switzerland, May 6, 2016 – Twelve teams will compete in the FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix Group 1 in 2016 hoping to qualify for the Group 1 Finals in Bangkok, Thailand from July 6 to 10. As the competition draws near we feature Italy in the eighth of a 12-part series.

Italy – Searching for World Grand Prix gold

In Italy’s 17 appearances in the World Grand Prix, they have managed to win a total of six medals. They first appeared in 1994 with an eighth place finish but missed out on the two succeeding editions before they improved their position to sixth place in 1997.

The European team competed in four consecutive editions from 1997 to 2000, breaking through the final four in one occasion when they finished fourth in 1999. At the turn of the millennium, Italy had a good run at the World Grand Prix, winning silver medals in 2004 and 2005 and bronze medals in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2010, along with greater achievements in other tournaments.

Italy’s first big conquest came in 2002, when they won the World Championship title in Germany. They became the first team to break the dominance of powerhouses Russia, China, Cuba and Japan. Since then, Italy had a steady rise and conquered back-to-back titles in the World Cup in 2007 and 2011, with an impressive win-record of 21 victories in 22 matches.

The Italians also won the European Championship in 2007 and 2009, the latter edition being their ticket to …

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