28/10/2020 16:00
30 years later, legacy of Italy’s World Championship triumph very much alive
News from the National Federations
Luxembourg, October 28, 2020. Thirty years ago, some 12 months after claiming their first, historic EuroVolley title in Stockholm, Italy secured the first of three FIVB Men’s World Championship titles in a row. It was a truly special moment – not only for Team Italy, but for the whole European Volleyball family as well.
Italy had travelled to Brazil as the reigning European champions but they lost in three sets their Pool D match to a Cuban side that many regarded as the heavy favourites for the global crown. However, after this setback, the players coached by Julio Velasco regrouped and marched from victory to victory in the knockout stage of the competition.
They beat Czechoslovakia 3-0 in the 8th Finals and thumped Argentina by the same score in the quarterfinals, before edging hosts Brazil at the tiebreak in the semis. Despite their heavy loss earlier in the tournament, the ‘Azzurri’ showed much courage and determination to edge Cuba 3-1 in the gold medal match.
Two more FIVB World Championship triumphs would follow in 1994 and 1998, under the guidance of Velasco and Brazilian Bebeto, respectively. Only Brazil have been able to match this achievement to this date through their hat-trick of gold medals from the 2002, 2006 and 2010 editions of the FIVB Men’s World Championship.
The 12 players who made history in Rio de Janeiro are Andrea Anastasi, Lorenzo Bernardi, Marco Bracci, Luca Cantagalli, Ferdinando De Giorgi, Andrea Gardini, Andrea Giani, Andrea Lucchetta, Marco Martinelli, Roberto Masciarelli, Paolo Tofoli and Andrea Zorzi.
You may have realised that many of these names are currently coaching some of the top clubs and / or national teams in international Volleyball! Therefore, we can rightfully say that the legacy of that golden moment in Rio de Janeiro remains very much alive…
To pay tribute to those who contributed to this historic triumph, the Italian Volleyball Federation will run a live streaming show later this evening, starting at 20:55 on their Facebook page and YouTube channel, involving former players, members of the coaching staff, journalists and even opponents of the Italian team – all sharing their memories from an unforgettable 1990 World Championship.
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