Gianlorenzo Blengini started a new chapter in his coaching career in an impressive way. The head coach of the Bulgarian men's national team led Numia Vero Volley Milano to the Courmayeur Cup trophy in only his second match at the helm of the Italian women's team.
In the final, Milano defeated the European powerhouse Conegliano with a score of 3:1 (25:17, 15:25, 25:23, 25:23) and concluded the pre-season tournament in Courmayeur with two victories over two of its main rivals in Serie A1.
Just a day earlier, Blengini made his debut in women's volleyball with a decisive3:0 (25:20, 27:25, 25:19)against Scandicci. Paola Egonu was then chosen as MVP with 21 points, and Milano outperformed their opponent with 52% against 46% attack efficiency and 5:2 blocks.
In the final against Conegliano, Milano started extremely strong and took the first set with 25:17. The opponent's response was just as decisive – 25:15 in the second set, which leveled the score.
The next two sets proved to be decisive. Both were hard-fought battles, but in the concluding points, Blengini's team showed greater resilience and won them with an identical 25:23. Thus, Milano closed the final with 3:1 and lifted the cup.
The success also holds additional value for the Italian specialist. Blengini took over Milano immediately after his commitments with Bulgaria at EuroVolley 2026 ended and had only a few days to work with his new team. In his debut against Scandicci, he used Bosio and Egonu on the diagonal, Kurtagic and Danesi in the middle, Lanier and Piva as outside hitters, and Fersino as libero.
Blengini himself had previously described the tournament primarily as an opportunity to check the organization and fluidity of the game before the start of the championship. However, the outcome turned out to be much better – two matches, two victories, only one lost set, and a first trophy in women's volleyball.
After the triumph, Gianlorenzo Blengini emphasized the character that Milano showed in the difficult moments of the final. "I am very happy that the team managed to find technical and psychological resources in moments of difficulty. This is a very important characteristic that does not depend on the opponent. It shows that the team has the desire to fight and does not change its attitude according to the development of the match. The level of the championship is very high and from Saturday we must be ready in the same way as we were tonight," stated the Bulgarian national coach.
The final standings in the Courmayeur Cup are Milano, Conegliano, Novara, and Scandicci. Novara won the small final against Scandicci with 3:1.
For Blengini and Milano, the real test now comes – the start of Serie A1. But the first message to the competitors has already been sent: the new Milano of the Bulgarian national coach started with a trophy.
