Italy men's national volleyball team

The Italian national volleyball team of men is a selection of the best Italian players, who represents the FIPAV ( Federazione Italiana Pallavolo ) in international tournaments and international matches.

History

World Championships

In the first volleyball World Cup 1948 Italy finished eighth. In the next three tournaments lacked the Italians. When they returned in 1962, they came does not go beyond 14th place and in the following years until 1974, they reached only rear seats. In the 1978 World Cup, however, suddenly they were successful and were subject only in the finale of the Soviet Union. 1982 and 1986, Italy was again placed far back, before 1990, a winning streak began. Three times in a row, won the Southern Europeans are the world title against Cuba, the Netherlands and Yugoslavia. In the tournaments in 2002 and 2006 they finished in fifth place, respectively, in 2010 was achieved fourth place in their own country.

Olympic games

Italy was at the Olympics in 1976 for the first time there and was eighth. Four years later, in 1980 in Moscow there was a ninth place. At the tournament in 1984, they came in front of a medal with bronze. This was followed by two weaker in 1988 in Seoul ( ninth place ) and in Barcelona in 1992 ( fifth place ). The tournament ended in 1996 for Italy only in the final against the Netherlands. After bronze in 2000 they repeated the success in Athens in 2004 with the final defeat against Brazil. In Beijing in 2008, the Italians missed after a defeat against Russia a medal. On 13 May 2012 she qualified with a 3-2 final win against Germany for the Olympic tournament in London, where she won the bronze medal with a 3-1 victory over Bulgaria.

European Championships

At the premiere of the European Volleyball Championship in 1948 in their own country Italy was third. The next tournament missed the Italians, after which they occupied until 1977 always places between eight and ten. From the late 1970s, the results were slightly better, before there was in 1987 with the ninth a setback. But two years later, Italy was awarded the victory against hosts Sweden for the first time European champions. 1991 subject to the Italians in the final of the Soviet Union. Then they triumphed four times in a row. 2001 Yugoslavia was more successful in the finals, in 2003 and 2005 brought Italy more titles. At the European Championships in 2007 they finished sixth, in 2009 it slipped even from on place ten. 2011 and 2013, Italy was twice in a row Vice European Champion.

World Cup

Italy joined in 1981 for the first time at the World Cup in part and finished seventh. In 1989 they lost only in the final against Cuba. After another pause, she won in 1995 in the final against the Netherlands for the first time the competition. This was followed by a third and a second place. 2007 did not participate in Italy, in 2011 it was fourth.

World League

The Italians were the first in 1990 against the Netherlands winning the World League. In the following two years, she repeated the success in their own country by playoff victories against Cuba. In 1993 they occupied the third place, a year later there was the third final win over Cuba in Italy. 1995 and 1996 met the Italians in the playoffs on the respective hosts. Against Brazil, they won, they lost the Netherlands. 1997 Cuba was again the opponents at the World League victory. 1998 the competition took place for the fourth time in Italy instead, but the hosts finished only fourth. The following year, Cuba had to admit defeat to the Italians for the fifth time, defending the title in 2000 against Russia. 2001 Brazil was successful in the final, just as 2004 the fifth tournament in Italy. In the remaining tournaments, the Italians were no longer on the third square.

Europe League

Italy has never played in the Europa League.