Just a few hours after the end of Week 1 in Canada, where Italy finished with 3 wins and 1 loss (8 points and 4th place in the temporary standings), the "Azzurri" are already turning their attention to the second phase of the competition – Week 2 in Chicago (USA), which will take place from June 25 to 30.

📍 Roster and Changes

Head coach Ferdinando De Giorgi made five changes to the squad compared to last week:

Incoming:

• Fabio Balaso

• Gianluca Galassi

• Daniele Lavia

• Alessandro Michieletto

• Riccardo Sbertoli

Outgoing:

• Domenico Pace

• Simone Anzani

• Francesco Sani

• Francesco Recine

• Mattia Boninfante

The latter five are returning to Italy on a flight from Montreal to Milan Malpensa.

🗓 Preparation and Friendly Matches

Before Chicago, from June 17 to 22, the team will prepare in Ottawa, Canada, and will play two friendly matches against the hosts:

• June 20:Italy - Canada (friendly match)

• June 21:Italy - Canada (friendly match)

🇺🇸 Chicago Schedule (NOW Arena)

Italy will play four matches in Week 2:

1. June 25, 7:30 PM🇮🇹 Italy - 🇵🇱 Poland

2. June 27, 11:00 PM🇮🇹 Italy - 🇨🇳 China

3. June 28, 11:00 PM🇮🇹 Italy - 🇧🇷 Brazil

4. June 30, 2:30 AM🇮🇹 Italy - 🇺🇸 United States
   (Bulgarian time)

👥 Italy's Roster for Week 2 (14 players)

Setters:

• 6. Simone Giannelli (captain)

• Riccardo Sbertoli

Middle blockers:

• 13. Lorenzo Cortesia

• Gianluca Galassi

• Giovanni Sanguinetti

• Giovanni Gargiulo

Outside Hitters:

• 5. Alessandro Michieletto

• Mattia Bottolo

• Daniele Lavia

• Luca Porro

Opposites:

• 11. Kamil Rychlicki

• Yuri Romano

Liberos:

• 4. Gabriele Laurenzano

• Fabio Balaso
  
  photo:volleyballworld.com