The Brazilian men’s volleyball team was defeated by Italy on the afternoon of August 30, 2026, during the FIPAV Men Cup. After starting the tournament with a victory over Germany, the Brazilian team managed to win the first set, but did not maintain the advantage, allowing the hosts to reverse the score to 3 sets to 1, with splits of 21/25, 25/20, 25/18 and 25/20.
The Brazilian team had a promising start, controlling the first half of the match. However, from the second set onwards, the Italian team demonstrated greater consistency and volume of play, managing to open up an advantage, capitalize on the Brazilians’ mistakes and secure victory by winning the next three sets.
The event, promoted by the Italian Volleyball Federation in Messina, Italy, is a crucial stage of preparation for continental tournaments, including the Pre-Olympic men’s volleyball tournament. This Olympic qualifier, which is extremely important for Brazil to guarantee its place at home, will take place at the Maracanãzinho gymnasium, in Rio de Janeiro, between September 15th and 20th.
Brazil’s debut in the tournament took place on August 30, 2026, with a convincing 3 sets to 0 victory against Germany. The competition began on August 26, 2026, with the duel between Germany and Italy, and also includes the participation of the Cuban team. Bernardinho’s team will end its participation in the tournament against Cuba, at 3pm, before heading to Paris, France, for a series of two friendlies against the hosts.
How the match between Brazil and Italy unfolded
The Brazilian team started scoring with Adriano and Darlan, establishing an initial advantage. However, attacking failures allowed Italy to equalize at 4-4 and subsequently take the lead at 7-5. Lucarelli put in a strong performance, leveling the score. Despite Mattia Bottolo’s imposition on the court, the Brazilians reacted and tied again at 14-14. In a decisive turnaround, Bernardinho’s team regained the lead of the set and, with an ace from Bryan, secured the set point. Judson finished the first half with a 25-21 victory.
The second set had a difficult start for Brazil, who faced difficulties against the Italian attack, seeing their opponents open an 8-5 lead. Although the Brazilian team reduced the difference to 12-8, Italy soared in scoring from that point on, exploiting the opponent’s block and taking advantage of the Brazilians’ failures in attack and reception. The home team reached 21 to 15, but Bernardinho’s team managed to react, reaching 20 points. Giovanni Sanguinetti closed the set with an ace, finishing at 25-20.
The third half began with Italy imposing its strength, scoring an ace and an effective block on Darlan. With another triple block, the Italians built a 7-3 lead, prompting Bernardinho to request a timeout. A save from Gianluca Galassi raised the team’s score to 11 against Brazil’s 7. Lukas Bergmann’s entry was not enough to change the situation, and Italy won the third set 25-18, with an attack from Bottolo.
The final set was marked by initial service errors by Matheus Pinta and attack errors by Lukas Bergmann. Italy, buoyed by its advantage, remained ahead, maintaining a difference of three to four points. Pinta still got some points, but the Italians showed solidity on the counterattack. Kamil Rychlicki hit the ball into the Brazilian court, leaving his team one point away from victory, 24 to 20. The match was sealed by a hit on the Brazilian team’s net, guaranteeing the hosts’ triumph.
