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The Italian women’s volleyball team seems truly unstoppable. Under head coach Julio Velasco, the side has been leaving nothing but crumbs for their rivals – and not just in this year’s Nations League. Captain Alessia Orro and her teammates have been dominating for over a year now, ever since 2 June 2024, when an extraordinary winning streak began. That run now stands at 27 consecutive victories.
Their 3-0 triumph over the USA in the quarter-finals marked Italy’s 27th straight win in official competitions: 8 in the 2024 Nations League, 6 en route to Olympic gold in Paris, and 13 more in the current Nations League. These victories have brought trophies – including the 2024 Nations League title and the Paris 2024 Olympic gold medal. Now, Italy have a real chance to lift back-to-back Nations League titles, after last year’s triumph in Bangkok (they also won the tournament in 2002 in Ankara).
Though not at their absolute best, Velasco’s squad still swept the USA in straight sets, conceding only three set points in the third – all saved by Paola Egonu (twice) and Alice Degradi. Next up is a high-stakes semifinal against Stefano Lavarini’s Poland, which will demand peak focus and another gear in performance.
Italy will go into the match powered by the relentless Paola Egonu – who scored 21 points against the Americans – and the towering presence of Sarah Fahr, near-impregnable at the net. At stake for the Nations League champions: €850,000 in prize money.
