Volleyball: Velasco’s Italdonne wins the Nations League

ROME, JUNE 23 – Julio Velasco’s Italy wins the 2024 women’s volleyball Nations League: in the final in Bangkok, the Italians beat Japan 3-1 (25-17, 25-17, 21-25, 25-20 ). It is the second Nations League in its history, two years after the Ankara feat, but the first confirmation of the new Italy coached by Velasco, after the Olympic qualification achieved via ranking precisely with the results of this competition. Captain Danesi and her teammates triumphed at the PalaHuamark in Bangkok, beating Japan in a match in which the Italians offered the best of their repertoire. Effective in blocking defence, precise on serve and substantially perfect in attack, Italy has crowned in the best possible way a path of constant global growth which began on 15 May in Antalya (3 victories and 1 defeat), continued in Macao (3 victories and 1 defeat) and Fukuoka (4 wins), and ended in triumph in Bangkok (1 set lost). For Velasco this is a new success to add to the 5 World Leagues won in the 90s at the helm of the men’s national team, a result also sealed by the absolute record in the World Ranking. During the night, with a flight departing from Bangkok for Milan Malpensa (around 2.00pm) with a stopover in Dubai, the Italians will return to Italy to enjoy a few days of well-deserved rest before resuming preparation for the Paris Olympic Games 2024.