EuroVolleyW 2023: Opening game at Arena di Verona

The first game of 2023 CEV European Women’s Volleyball Championships will take place tonight at 8.00 PM in Verona, in the suggestive location of The Arena, one of the most emotional and historical monuments in Italy

The time has come.

The opening game of EuroVolley 2023 finally arrived.

The first game of 2023 CEV European Women’s Volleyball Championships will take place tonight at 8.00 PM in Verona, Italy, in the suggestive location of The Arena, one of the most emotional and historical monuments in the Belpaese.

Last time a sport event took place at Arena di Verona was 23rd May 1988, with the great Volleyball challenge between USA and USSR men’s national teams, in an historical sport and political happening before Seoul Olympic Games in South Korea.

Home team and defending European champs Italy will face Romania in the first game of Pool B, in a game which have a strong favourite, Davide Mazzanti’s team.

Italy will make their 22nd consecutive appearance at the European Championships, since they last failed to compete in 1979, and in this tournament they’re on track to win back-to-back European titles for the second time. After the win in 2021, the Azzurre won their first two EuroVolley in 2007 and 2009.

EuroVolley 2023 is Romania's 27th participation in the European Championships. Their only podium was a third place in 1963, while in last appearence Romania lost all five of their matches at the European Championships in 2021 as hosts, only winning three sets.

Italy is favourite, but will need to be careful because Romania is a strong team, despite the losses in the previous editions of EuroVolley, and despite the poor results earned in last European Volleyball League (one win and three losses for Romania in the tournament) last June.

In July the Azzurre missed the podium at last international tournament, Volleyball Nations League, defeated by Türkiye in Quarter Finals, finishing in 6th place in the final standings, with Turkish team (coached by Italian Daniele Santarelli) who later won the VNL title stunning Asian powerhouse China in the final.

But in this upcoming EuroVolley 2023 Davide Mazzanti’s team will count on superstar Paola Egonu, back with Italian national team after a significant break last winter.

The defending champs are always one of the top teams in the Championship, one of the favourite for the win, but obviously with Paola Egonu in the roster Italy is the number one favourite for the gold medal.

In Pool B Italy and Romania will face also Bulgaria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia and Switzerland.

Never say never in sports, but it seems that Italy would be the favourite team for first place of the Pool, with the other five squads who will battle for the remaining Eight Finals' spot.

After today’s wonderful happening at Arena di Verona, the next games of Pool B will take place in Monza at Arena from tomorrow until 19th August, and from 21st August until 23rd in Torino at Palazzetto dello Sport Gianni Asti (former PalaRuffini).

Tonight we will be witnesses of an historical event at Arena di Verona, with the opening game of EuroVolley 2023 between defending champions Italy and Romania.