Giuseppe Manfredi: “We are confident that our national teams will play a leading role in the Olympic Qualification Tournaments”

In an interview with FIVB.com, Giuseppe Manfredi, the President of the Italian Volleyball Federation (FIPAV), explores the recent successes of the Italian national teams. He also delves into the importance of hosting international tournaments, identifies upcoming key milestone for the Italian national teams ahead of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 and reflects on the recent innovations in the FIVB.

1. Dear Mr Manfredi, over the past few years Italy has won almost all the titles possible in volleyball, with the highlight being crowned the World Champions in 2022. How do you feel about these achievements?

We are truly proud of the great results achieved by our Italian national teams, which have always represented the flagship of the Italian volleyball movement and an exceptional means of promoting young people. Behind these great achievements is a great deal of work and careful planning.

Seeing our players stand on the top step of the podium is a fantastic feeling that repays the Federation for the investments and work carried out over many years.

Italy men’s national team crowned World champions last year

2. Last year, your men’s team became World Champions for the first time since 1998 by winning the gold medal match against Poland on their home soil. Your women’s team became bronze medallists of the FIVB Women’s World Championship 2022 with an impressive 3-0 win over the reigning Olympic champions, the United States. How were these incredible achievements celebrated in Italy?

I have to say that our country was thrilled, both the Men's World Championship victory and the Women's bronze were received with great enthusiasm.

After returning from Poland, we once again had the honour of being received by the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella, who was filled with praise for coach De Giorgi and the Azzurri.

FIPAV President Manfredi and members of the national teams meeting President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella (Photo credit: FIPAV)

The Women's World Championship was also followed with great passion by the Italian public; the bronze medal is an important result.

I think the most exciting moment, however, was the visit with all the Italian national teams to the Pope, something that has never happened before in the history of the FIPAV.

Family photo with Pope Francis (Photo credit: FIPAV)

3. Can you please tell us about the performance of Italy at the VNL 2023 and share your expectations for the next season?

This year, the men's and women's national teams chose two different ways to approach the VNL. The men's world champions employed the standard lineup and after a good group stage failed to make it to the final podium in Gdansk. However, we confirmed once again that we are among the strongest teams in the world.

Bronze medallists at the World Championship 2022, Italy women’s team finished sixth at the VNL 2023

It is a different story for the women's team. Coach Mazzanti took advantage of the competition to provide new players with the opportunity to play at a high level, and the positive notes were not lacking. As our coach said, we only have the regret of not having shown our best volleyball at the Finals in the USA.

4. We have been talking about volleyball so far, how are the Italian teams performing in beach volleyball, can you please share some recent achievements?

Being in the pre-Olympic year, our goal in beach volleyball is to get important points to qualify Italian pairs for the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

Italy beach volleyball national teams are working hard to qualify for the Olympic Games Paris 2024

In the men's team Nicolai-Cottafava and Carambula-Ranghieri have a very good chance of securing an Olympic ticket, and we can also count on other valuable pairs like Lupo-Rossi.

On the women's side, Menegatti-Gottardi are progressively getting better and better results and this gives us hope to see three tricolour duos compete under the Eiffel Tower, as at Tokyo 2020.

5. Italy is regularly hosting volleyball, beach volleyball and snow volleyball events of various levels. Can you tell us more about why organising these events is important to your Federation and the development of sport in the country?

The history of FIPAV is strongly linked to major events. We believe that they are a powerful promotional tool for encouraging boys and girls to take up volleyball, beach volleyball and snow volleyball.

Snow volleyball event in Italy (Photo credit: FIPAV)

In addition to volleyball, we are passionate about organising events in other disciplines, as demonstrated by the many beach volleyball tournaments and recently the Italian snow volleyball championship. We want to offer our members the widest possible range of sports, and in order to make new sports known, it is essential to launch them in high-level events.

6. With one year to go to the Paris 2024, what are your expectations for Italy’s volleyball and beach volleyball performances there? In volleyball, your teams will be in Poland and Brazil for the Volleyball Qualifiers, do you feel that Italy has a good chance of qualifying?

We are confident that our national teams in the Olympic Qualification Tournaments will be able to play a leading role.

The Italian women’s team will have Poland and the United States as their main opponents. Over the years, however, we have always demonstrated our strength and we will play our best, and showcase why we hold such an excellent position in the World Rankings.

The World Champions, on the other hand, will have to face the hosts Brazil, in addition to a series of other dangerous opponents that should never be underestimated. Winning the European and World Championships, however, has brought a huge boost of confidence to the group, so we should not fear anyone.

7. The FIVB and FIPAV recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding to join forces and strengthen the development of volleyball and beach volleyball in Italy and globally. Can you tell us more about the programmes you plan to run and why Italy wanted to get involved?

We are very pleased to have signed this memorandum with the FIVB for the development of volleyball and beach volleyball in countries where volleyball is less developed.

The MoU was signed by FIVB President Dr Ary. S. Graça F° and FIPAV President Giuseppe Manfredi, in the presence of the President of the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI), Giovanni Malagò, in May 2023

I believe that Italy, as well as the other well-structured federations, can do a lot to help grow the world volleyball movement. What we can do is make coaches, managers, players and referees available to pass on their knowledge to others.

There is also the desire to host coaches and managers from other nations to show how they work in Italy and how activities are designed. One should not be afraid to pass on one’s know-how because making volleyball and beach volleyball even more global will result in benefits for all stakeholders in our world.

As of 2025 the FIVB Volleyball World Championships will be held biennially

8. The FIVB has recently made a number of important decisions for volleyball’s development, including the approval of Volleyball Calendar 2024-2028 with the biennial World Championships and the approval of the creation of the FIVB Foundation. How do you see the latest innovations within the FIVB from the National Federation perspective?

I consider the elimination of the qualifying tournaments very interesting. To qualify it will be crucial to play well in both the World Championships and the European Championships.

The World Ranking will always maintain great importance, as the Olympic qualification path shows. Let's say there is a greater rationalisation of the international calendar.

I also think that the creation of the Foundation will enable new goals, allowing the FIVB to have a wider reach.