Italy team captain Simone Giannelli dedicated their back-to-back FIVB Men's World Championships to injured teammates Daniele Lavia and Giovanni Sanguinetti.
Italy team captain Simone Giannelli made sure their back-to-back FIVB Men’s World Championships was about more than just the players on the court.
During the awarding ceremony at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, Giannelli wore the jersey of Daniele Lavia, who missed the tournament after suffering a hand injury in Verona before Italy’s campaign.
Giannelli also named Giovanni Sanguinetti as another key piece to the team, who likewise missed the global tilt due to a right ankle injury.
“Daniel Lavia is not here with us for an injury that unfortunately happened before we started our journey here in the Philippines,” Giannelli said. “He is a brother for me and for everybody else. We started together, and he deserved to be there with us to win this gold medal.”
“In our mind, also Giovanni Sanguinetti, he was with us until the beginning of the World Champs, so this title is for them also, for me they are part of the group this summer, and I hope that we have two more gold medals to give to them.”
Best Setter honors
Following Italy’s stellar run to the gold medal, the 29-year-old was also named Best Setter of the tournament for the second consecutive edition, an accolade he humbly redirected toward his teammates.
Simone Giannelli and Italy celebrate their 2025 FIVB Men's World Championship victory. | Photo: RM Chua/One Sports
Giannelli finished with 198 excellent sets and only one error with a 46.48 percent success rate.
“I play to win with my team, of course, so it means a lot for me winning this gold medal with them because back-to-back World Champs is something that feels ridiculous for me,” he said. “I never thought it was possible to achieve something like this."
“Back-to-back Best Setter is something great, but this is possible only because of them. They spike the ball very, very well — my job is just to give them the best ball I can,” Giannelli added.
Gratitude for Filipino fans
The Italian skipper also expressed deep appreciation for the Filipino crowd for consistently trooping to the venues throughout the tournament.
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The Italy-Bulgaria gold medal match saw a total of 16,429 spectators at the MOA Arena, a record for a men’s volleyball game in the Philippines.
“Thank you very much, you were amazing,” Giannelli said.
“You brought a lot of energy for us, you were a key to winning this gold medal. Thank you for your hospitality, thank you for your kindness. I hope to see you soon.”
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Kiko Demigillo’s journey in sports storytelling began with a deep passion for games and athletes, which eventually grew into a full-fledged career.
Now a dedicated sportswriter, Kiko covers a wide range of beats for One Sports, including the PVL, UAAP, PBA, and various international tournaments.