Simone Giannelli has a clear goal in mind. © ANSA / DANIEL IRUNGU

After the Japan coup: Giannelli & Co. meet the host

The Italian men's national volleyball team, led by Simone Giannelli from Bolzano, can look forward to winning a medal on Wednesday evening. The Azzurri will face France in the semi-finals of the Olympic Games in Paris (20 p.m.).

August 07, 2024

From: leo

The duel between Italy and the Grande Nation is one that has already taken place 151 times in volleyball. The Azzurri have won 79 times and lost 72 games. Most recently, the French team of Andrea Giani (he won three Olympic medals as a player with Italy) won twice in a row in the Nations League. Giannelli & Co., on the other hand, won the last two encounters on the big stage. At both last year's European Championship and the 2022 World Cup, Italy had the upper hand against the reigning Olympic champions.

Italy is in the Olympic semifinals for the eighth time. Their record is three wins and four losses. The Azzurri are still missing a gold medal. They have probably not been this close for a long time: In the group phase, Ferdinando De Giorgi's team won all three matches before overcoming a 0-2 deficit against Japan in the quarterfinals. "After this success, we certainly have a positive feeling because we have achieved a real feat," libero Fabio Balaso is quoted as saying on the association's website.

Giannelli wants gold

"France needs no introduction. It will certainly be a tough fight. They are the hosts and won the Olympic Games three years ago, so they will want to defend their title at all costs in front of their home crowd. Compared to Japan, the French are a physically stronger team. We have to prepare as best as we can," emphasises the 28-year-old.

This is how Italy celebrated its entry into the semi-finals. © APA/afp / MIGUEL MEDINA

Although he is only 28 years old, Gianneli is the only player in Italy's squad to win the silver medal in Rio di Janeiro in 2016, so the captain knows what it feels like to hold precious metal in his hands. To experience that feeling again, Giannelli and his teammates will have to keep an eye out for superstar Earvin N'Gapeth on Wednesday night. The 33-year-old is a familiar face in this country, as he played for Modena in Serie A for a long time.