The final of the 2025 Men's Volleyball World Championship will not just be a clash between two teams – Italy and Bulgaria. It will also be a duel between two coaches who know each other very well, share a common past, and have different, yet equally impressive paths to the top:Ferdinando De Giorgi andGianlorenzo Blengini. This is a story told by colleagues from the reputable volleyball.it.
Gianlorenzo Blengini – The Strategist from Piedmont
Born in Piedmont and now 53 years old,Gianlorenzo Blenginihas gone through all the steps of the coaching profession. His beginning was as an assistant to Mauro Berruto, after which he gained invaluable experience alongside the legendary Julio Velasco, with whom he worked for several seasons before taking on the responsibility of head coach himself.
Blengini took over the Italian national team and led it to two Olympic tournaments –silver in Rio 2016and participation inTokyo 2021, where the "Azzurri" reached the quarterfinals. Known for his calm style and tactical precision, he is the person who breathed new life into the Bulgarian national team and led it to a historic final aftera 55-year break.
Ferdinando De Giorgi – The Legend from the "Generation of Phenomenons"
At 63 years old,Ferdinando De Giorgiis not just a coach – he is part of the history of Italian volleyball. As a setter, he is among the symbols of the famous "Generation of Phenomenons," with whom, under the leadership of Julio Velasco, he wontwo world titles, adding a third with Brazilian Bebeto.
After the end of his competitive career, he started from scratch as a coach, even performing the role ofplayer-coach in the elite – an experience that gives him a unique insight into the game. InJune 2021 he took over the national team and immediately brought Italy back to the top –European title in 2021 andworld title in 2022
De Giorgi is respected for his ability to create generations of champions – with him, the young Italian team became a symbol of consistency and strength.
Crossed Paths and Deep Roots
The professional paths of the two intertwined multiple times. During the season2020/2021 De Giorgi was replaced by Blengini on the bench ofLube Civitanova on February 26, 2021. A little later, while Blengini was leading Italy at the Tokyo Olympics, De Giorgi was already preparing the 'new' 'Squadra Azzurra' in the training camp in Mantua.
The changing of the guard was immediate and successful –European title in 2021, followed by aworld title in 2022, and today a second consecutive World Championship final.
Historic Sunday – September 28, 2025.
Tomorrow,September 28, from12:30 PM live on Rai2, the two bench masters will face each other. For Italy, this is a chance tosolidify its global dominance. And for Bulgaria to step onto the highest podium for the first time in its history.
photos: Nikolay Varadinov
