The big star of the Italian national team, Alessandro Michieletto, returns to the 'Azzurri' squad for the start of preparations for the European Championship. The outside hitter, who has not played since January this year due to injury and missed the Volleyball Nations League, is among the 17 volleyball players called up by coach Ferdinando De Giorgi for the first training camp before the Old Continent championship, which will be held from September 10 to 26.
Italy will gather in Cervia on August 10 and will train there until August 13. One of the training sessions – on August 11 – will be open to fans, who will have the opportunity to watch the preparation of the reigning world champions.
Besides Michieletto, the group includes all the main figures of the Italian national team, among whom are captain Simone Giannelli, Daniele Lavia, Yuri Romano, Kamil Rychlicki, and Fabio Balaso. Michieletto's presence does not necessarily mean he will participate in EuroVolley 2026, Italian media clarify. Everything will depend on his current condition.
Italy squad for the first preparatory camp:
Setters: Simone Giannelli, Riccardo Sbertoli.
Outside Hitters: Mattia Bottolo, Daniele Lavia, Alessandro Michieletto, Francesco Sani, Luca Porro.
Middle Blockers: Lorenzo Cortesia, Gianluca Galassi, Roberto Russo, Giovanni Sanguinetti, Mattia Pardo.
Opposite Hitters: Alessandro Bovolenta, Kamil Rychlicki, Yuri Romano.
Liberos: Fabio Balaso, Gabriele Laurenzano.

photo: Nikolay Varadinov