In a blockbuster start to their 2026 European Championships Women campaign, Italy defeated France 3-1 on Wednesday night, proving once again that they remain the team to beat in continental volleyball. The match, played under a late-evening atmosphere on August 26, 2026, saw the reigning powerhouse overcome a determined French side that pushed them to the edge in a crunch second set.

Match Overview

Italy arrived as heavy favorites but had to work for their victory against a muscular French defense. The Azzurri claimed the match by a 3-1 scoreline, with set scores of 25-22, 23-25, 25-19, and 25-21, demonstrating their superior depth in the decisive moments. France, competing on home soil in front of a partisan crowd, showed flashes of brilliance but could not sustain the level required to topple the tournament favorites.

Key Moments

• First set – Italy's early statement: Italy edged a tight opening set 25-22, using a late surge from the service line to break a 20-20 deadlock.
• Second set – France fights back: France responded with their best stretch of the night, taking the second set 25-23. A towering solo block from Lucille Gicquel gave Les Bleues the momentum and the noisy home crowd a reason to believe.
• Third set – Italy's wall appears: The Azzurri rebuilt their lead with a dominant third set, 25-19, behind a five-point run anchored by Paola Egonu's powerful hitting.
• Fourth set – Clinical finish: Italy kept France at arm's length in a 25-21 fourth set, closing the match on a series of sharp serves and a decisive block from Anna Danesi.

Tactical Story

Italy controlled the net throughout, recording double-digit blocks and forcing France into high-error hitting. Head coach Davide Mazzanti leaned on a taller front line to stuff the French outsides, while Paola Egonu operated as the focal point from the right side, drawing double blocks and freeing up middle attackers for quick strikes. France's game plan relied on the fast tempo set by their veteran playmaker and the transition offense of Gicquel, but they were repeatedly denied at the net in the critical phases of the third and fourth sets.

Italy's serve-receive unit held up under heavy pressure, and their ability to side-out at 60% or better in the final two sets made it nearly impossible for France to build sustained scoring runs. The French side, for their part, improved their blocking numbers compared to recent tournaments but struggled to convert defensive digs into efficient counter-attacks against the aggressive Italian serve.

Standout Players

• Paola Egonu (Italy): The star opposite delivered another match-winning performance, pouring in a team-high total of 29 points. Her hitting efficiency in the third and fourth sets separated the two teams.
• Lucille Gicquel (France): France's best scorer of the night with 18 points, showing off her versatility with a mix of power shots and off-speed placement. She was the main reason France stayed competitive through the second set.
• Alessia Orro (Italy): The Italian setter orchestrated an offense that hit above .320 for the match while also contributing three blocks from the front row.

Table and Season Impact

With this victory, Italy take a major step toward securing top spot in their pool, strengthening their quest for a fourth European title. France, meanwhile, now face a must-win match in their next group-stage outing to keep their knockout-round hopes alive. The result also serves as an early statement from Italy ahead of the later rounds, where they are expected to challenge for the continental crown on the road to the final.

For France, the narrow margin in the first two sets offers encouragement, but the recurring pattern of late-set lapses will be the immediate focus for the coaching staff. The team, playing in front of their own supporters, will need to translate that fight into a full-match performance if they are to advance further in the tournament.