Julio Velasco has officially entered the history of Italian volleyball as the coach who brought the first Olympic gold to the "Squadra Azzurra" women's team. This historic success is complemented by World Championship titles, as well as two consecutive triumphs in the Nations League. Under his leadership, Italy won four consecutive gold medals from international tournaments under the auspices of FIVB and CEV – a true dominance on the world stage.
Records that change history
26 official consecutive victories – a new record for the 21st century in the history of Italian volleyball.
Longest streak in Europe in the new millennium, surpassing all other national teams from the continent.
Third all-time result in the world ranking for consecutive victories in official matches - 36.
463 days without a loss – a period in which Italy played at the peak of its abilities and remained undefeated in official matches in 2025.
During Julio Velasco's tenure, the Italian national team won 95% of its official matches – a percentage that testifies to unprecedented stability and tactical maturity. Never before in the history of Italian volleyball has such dominance over the competition been achieved.
Early years and first successes
Julio Velasco was born on February 9, 1952, in La Plata, Argentina. His first steps were in school teams, but his professional career began at Ferro Carril Oeste, with whom he won four consecutive Argentine titles (1979–1982). As an assistant coach for the national team, he also added a bronze from the 1982 World Championship in his homeland.
In 1983, he arrived in Italy, and two years later took over Modena. With the club, he won 4 consecutive Scudetti (1986–1989), 3 Italian Cups, and 1 Supercup, bringing the team back to the top after a decade-long hiatus. The successes came with a combination of young Italian talents (Bernardi, Cantagalli, Vullo, Giretti) and minimal foreign participation – a philosophy that changed the face of Serie A.
In 1989, he became the coach of the Italian men's national team and transformed it into a world superpower:
2 World Championship titles (1990, 1994)
3 European gold medals (1989, 1993, 1995)
5 World League victories
silver at the Atlanta 1996 Olympics
Under his leadership, the "Azzurri" won 257 out of 323 matches (79.5%), becoming a symbol of modern volleyball.
After a brief stint in football (Lazio, Inter), Velasco returned to volleyball – first in the Czech Republic, then with Serie A clubs, and in 2009, he coached Spain. With Iran (2011–2014), he achieved a historic breakthrough: the first Asian gold medal (2011) and a debut in the World League.
From 2014–2018, he led his home country, winning the Pan American Games (2015). In 2019, he took over the technical leadership of Italy's male youth formations, with whom he won world and European titles in all age categories. This work is considered the foundation of the "Azzurri's" new boom.
From 2024, Velasco took charge of the Italian women's national team. In just a year and a half, he led the "Azzurri" to:
VNL 2024 (gold, final over Japan)
Olympic Gold Paris 2024 (final 3-0 against USA)
record of 29 consecutive wins (2024–2025)
VNL 2025 (final 3-1 against Brazil)
World Championship 2025 (gold, final 3-2 against Turkey)
Thus, Italy reached its historical peak also in women's volleyball, and Velasco recorded a second "golden cycle" in his career.
Statistics and Achievements
With the Italian Men's National Team (1989–1996)
| Total Matches | Wins | Losses | % success rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 323 | 257 | 66 | 79,5% |
Exceptional dominance – nearly 80% wins in an era of fierce competition. The Italians set a new standard for consistency and style.
With the Italian Women's National Team (1997, 2024–2025)
| Total Matches | Wins | Losses | % success rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 86 | 69 | 17 | 81% |
An even more impressive indicator from the men's period – over 8 out of 10 matches end in success. The distinctive thing here is that Velasco manages to lead a new generation to the top of the Olympic podium.
Julio Velasco is much more than a coach – he is an architect of modern volleyball, a visionary who changes the methodology of the game and proves that success is built on a combination of talent, discipline, and collective culture. From La Plata to Paris, his story is a symbol of continuous rediscovery and an eternal pursuit of the top.
Today, his name stands alongside the greatest not only in volleyball but in all of sports history.
The gold from the Olympic Games is not just a trophy – it is the fulfillment of a long-standing dream for Italian volleyball, which had repeatedly come close to the top but always remained a step away. Velasco turned that missed opportunity into history.
Italy not only wins matches – it dominates, sets records, and inspires a new generation of fans and players. Velasco doesn't just lead a team – he writes a new golden chapter in the annals of world volleyball.
photo: volleyballworld.com
