Overview

• Italy’s men’s and women’s national teams were received by President Sergio Mattarella, who called them “formidable” and expressed the country’s gratitude.
• Fans with flags gathered outside the palace as athletes posed for photos and signed autographs, with Simone Anzani and Paola Egonu receiving notable acclaim alongside coaches Ferdinando De Giorgi and Julio Velasco.
• Julio Velasco described the reception as national recognition for volleyball, warned against growing used to winning, and said he avoids media and social platforms to manage pressure.
• Velasco emphasized training with urgency, eyeing European events that qualify for the Olympics and setting sights on defending the world title.
• Federation and Olympic committee leaders accompanied the delegations, which were scheduled to proceed to Palazzo Chigi to meet Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and to appear on Rai’s Porta a Porta in the evening.