The defeats suffered by the men’s national team against Finland and the women’s team against Turkey have brought the Azzurri and Azzurre’s winning run in continental competition to an end. Italian volleyball, however, is looking ahead whilst holding on to the past, because a painful setback does not erase the sport’s golden era

“My value isn’t just measured by the points I score, but by what I’m able to convey to my teammates, what I experience alongside them, and how well I’m able to gel with the team,” says the national team’s opposite hitter and captain of Numia Vero Volley

The Azzurri head into the European Championships as the defending runners-up. They make their debut on Thursday 10 September; at stake is not only the trophy but also a direct place at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. However, there are many unknowns