Lausanne, Switzerland, April 30, 2019 - Head coach Gianlorenzo Blengini has released the wide roster of Italy ahead of the 2019 FIVB Men's Volleyball Nations League, due to start May 31. The list at this stage includes 30 players with a lot of fresh talent included.
• Setters: Simone Giannelli (Itas Trentino), Luca Spirito (Calzedonia Verona), Riccardo Sbertoli (Revivre Axopower Milano), Nicola Salsi (Aeronautica Militare Club Italia CRAI).
• Middle blockers: Matteo Piano (Revivre Axopower Milano), Simone Anzani (Azimut Leo Shoes Modena), Daniele Mazzone (Azimut Leo Shoes Modena), Roberto Russo (Consar Ravenna), Davide Candellaro (Itas Trentino), Alberto Polo (Kioene Padova), Fabio Ricci (Sir Safety Conad Perugia), Edoardo Caneschi (Globo Banca Popolare del Frusinate Sora).
• Liberos: Fabio Balaso (Cucine Lube Civitanova), Nicola Pesaresi (Revivre Axopower Milano), Federico Bonami (Globo Banca Popolare del Frusinate Sora), Filippo Federici (Aeronautica Militare Club Italia CRAI).
• Outside hitters: Oleg Antonov (Galatasaray Istanbul), Giacomo Raffaelli (Consar Ravenna), Daniele Lavia (Consar Ravenna), Oreste Cavuto (Itas Trentino), Davide Gardini (BYU Volleyball), Marco Pierotti (Azimut Leo Shoes Modena), Fabrizio Gironi (Revivre Axopower Milano), Francesco Recine (Aeronautica Militare Club Italia CRAI), Sebastiano Milan (Centrale Del Latte Sferc Brescia).
• Opposites: Gabriele Nelli (Itas Trentino), Andrea Argenta (Consar Ravenna), Giulio Pinali (Azimut Leo Shoes Modena), Yuri Romano (Olimpia Bergamo), Diego Cantagalli (Cucine Lube Civitanova).
"This list is based essentially on two concepts that I had already expressed during the presentation of the season," said the 47-year-old coach. "The first is that of wanting to give space to a series of talented youngsters with potential; it is necessary that these guys have the opportunity to play and to compete also at international level. The second is to consistently rest some players who for many years have been continuously engaged in winter and summer activity."
Italy begin their 2019 VNL in Jiangmen where they face hosts China, Germany and Iran on the opening weekend, 31 May to 2 June.
Quick links - Volleyball:
FIVB.com - Volleyball Nations League
FIVB.com - Volleyball
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