Milan, Aug. 27 (LaPresse) – Reggio Calabria. A good start to the first of the three matches scheduled on the shores of the Strait for De Giorgi’s men’s national team. The Azzurri, in fact, came from behind to beat Germany 3-2 (64-66, 25-22, 23-25, 25-22, 15-12) this evening at the PalaCalafiore in the first match of the FIPAV Cup Men Elite, an international tournament also featuring Cuba and Brazil. Against Germany, head coach Ferdinando De Giorgi fielded Sbertoli as setter, with Rychlicki as opposite, Lavia and Bottolo as outside hitters, Mati and Sanguinetti as middle blockers, and Laurenzano as libero. On the other side of the net, the German team took the court with Tille, Brehme, Karlitzek, Krick, Brand and Shoott as libero. An inconsistent performance from the Azzurri, who nevertheless provided the coaching staff with some positive indications in the build-up to the European Championships, which, as is known, will begin in Naples on September 10 in the presence of Head of State Sergio Mattarella. It is worth noting that the first set, which ended 66-64 and lasted 1 hour and 29 minutes, represents the record for the longest set in volleyball history. The previous record, set at the 2026 VNL in the match between Argentina and Poland, which ended 50-48 after 62 minutes of play on June 28, 2026, was thus broken. More than 4,400 spectators applauded the Azzurri at the end, with an attendance revenue of 84,000 euros. Italy’s top scorer was Luca Porro with 20 points. Tomorrow morning, the Azzurri will cross the Strait to reach Messina and play the other two scheduled matches: against Cuba on August 28 and Brazil on August 30.
Volleyball, record-breaking set in Italy-Germany friendly: 64-66 is the longest ever
Milan, Aug. 27 (LaPresse) – Reggio Calabria. A good start to the first of the three matches scheduled on the shores of the Strait for De Giorgi’s men’s national team. The Azzurri, in fact, came from behind to beat Germany 3-2 (64-66, 25-22, 23-25, 25-22, 15-12) this evening at the PalaCalafiore in the first match of the FIPAV Cup Men Elite, an international tournament also featuring Cuba and Brazil. Against Germany, head coach Ferdinando De Giorgi fielded Sbertoli as setter, with Rychlicki as opposite, Lavia and Bottolo as outside hitters, Mati and Sanguinetti as middle blockers, and Laurenzano as libero. On the other side of the net, the German team took the court with Tille, Brehme, Karlitzek, Krick, Brand and Shoott as libero. An inconsistent performance from the Azzurri, who nevertheless provided the coaching staff with some positive indications in the build-up to the European Championships, which, as is known, will begin in Naples on September 10 in the presence of Head of State Sergio Mattarella. It is worth noting that the first set, which ended 66-64 and lasted 1 hour and 29 minutes, represents the record for the longest set in volleyball history. The previous record, set at the 2026 VNL in the match between Argentina and Poland, which ended 50-48 after 62 minutes of play on June 28, 2026, was thus broken. More than 4,400 spectators applauded the Azzurri at the end, with an attendance revenue of 84,000 euros. Italy’s top scorer was Luca Porro with 20 points. Tomorrow morning, the Azzurri will cross the Strait to reach Messina and play the other two scheduled matches: against Cuba on August 28 and Brazil on August 30.