"The Sport of Team Spirit" became the new symbol of the nation

In Italy, something happened that until recently seemed unthinkable " volleyball overtook football in popularity. According to the latest survey by the "Piepoli" Institute, conducted between September 29 and October 1, 2025, volleyball is precisely the sport with which Italians today identify the most and in which they see an expression of their national superiority. This was reported by the page of the Italian Volleyball Federation.

🇮🇹 The double world crown changed Italy's sporting imagination

The victory of the men's national team, led by Ferdinando De Giorgi, after the already achieved world triumph of the women's team, ignited the pride and emotion of all of Italy.
According to the survey data, 72% of Italians feel "very" or "quite proud" of the men's team's gold medal ", a number that speaks not only of sporting success but also of a deep public identification with this type of sport.

The data clearly shows a change in the country's sporting hierarchy. Volleyball, which for many years lived in the shadow of football, is now perceived as Italy's most successful and worthy sporting symbol.

💙 The New Italy: team, merit, emotion

"These data tell of a deep transformation in the way Italians perceive sporting success," commented the president of the "Piepoli" Institute, Livio Gigliuto.
According to him, volleyball has become a mirror of Italy, which knows how to win, excite, and unite.
This is also why it is now perceived as the most representative sport for the country ", an expression of collective spirit, professionalism, and national pride.

🏗️ Years of work and cultural change

The rise of volleyball is not accidental. It is the result of many years of consistent work ", a stable club structure, quality youth development, development of women's and men's championships, and a clear presence in schools and the media.
While football often suffers from polarization, scandals, and commercial pressure, volleyball embodies the pure form of sporting success ", based on teamwork and mutual respect.

🏅 Italy of Volleyball

Today, Italy is a world power not only on the court, but also in the minds of its people.
Volleyball is no longer just a discipline – it is a cultural phenomenon that symbolizes a country capable of uniting around success and sharing it.
And perhaps this is also the greatest victory for Ferdinando De Giorgi and his players — to transform volleyball into the new heart of Italian sport.
Comment:
In Italy, football has always been a religion — but volleyball, quietly and disciplined, created a new faith: in the collective, in respect, in hard work that is rewarded with success.
And while stadiums still attract noise and passion, volleyball halls now bring an emotion, purity, and pride that reflect the modern Italian spirit — that of intelligent effort, respect for the opponent, and strength in unity.

Volleyball didn't just win gold.
It won the hearts of the nation.
And that, in a country like Italy, is a victory even greater than any title.

photo: Nikolay Varadinov