The Italian women’s team were sole World Championship triumph came in Germany, in 2002. They have since narrowly missed out on winning the bronze medal twice, losing the 2006 third place playoff in Osaka 3-0 to Serbia and Montenegro, and the 2014 playoff 3-2 to Brazil at home in Milan.
The Italian team have won the FIVB Volleyball World Cup twice, in 2007 and 2011, as well as the FIVB Volleyball World Grand Champions Cup in 2009. Italy have been consistent participants in the Olympic Games since Sydney 2000 and have made the quarterfinals three times: at the Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Games. At Rio 2016, they finished in ninth place overall.
Last year Italy took part in their nineteenth FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix, losing to Brazil in five sets in the final in Nanjing. This was the team’s third silver medal in the history of the competition, mirroring their 2004 and 2005 campaigns. Italy have also won bronze medals in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2010, but are yet to climb on the highest step of the podium.
On a continental level, Italy have won a host of medals at the European Championships, including gold in 2007 and 2009.