Three-time European champion Paolo Nicolai transitions from athlete to coach

Three-time European champion and Olympic silver medallist Paolo Nicolai of Italy has announced his retirement from competitive sport. However, Nicolai will remain involved in Beach Volleyball and work as Technical Director for the Italian Volleyball Federation (FIPAV), where he will be responsible for their men’s Beach Volleyball programme. 

“I am closing a very important chapter of my life for the past 20 years,” Nicolai said when introduced to the media in his new role and capacity. “This time has given me so much joy, emotions, and awards and I have been honoured to be able to represent Italy for so long. However, this moment was due to come, sooner or later. I am retiring from competitive sport after achieving my last goal as an athlete, participation in the Beach Pro Tour Finals in Doha, featuring the top eight teams from across the globe,” Nicolai added. 

“After Doha, I will change hat and start working as a Technical Director for the men’s programme, an opportunity that I did not hesitate to seize. My experience as an elite athlete will certainly represent an asset. I am grateful to FIPAV and after spending my life playing on the sand across the globe, I will become a coach. I feel ready to take the plunge. Our goal is to work and progress once step at a time. I am privileged to work with athletes and staff of the highest calibre, and this will facilitate my work. We shall break down barriers and bring together Volleyball and Beach Volleyball,” he said. “I’ll forever be grateful to Beach Volleyball since the sport has shaped me into the person I am, experiencing the joy and fun that you feel as a youngster and eventually turning it into a real full-time job.” 

Nicolai has already disclosed details of his plans for the future: “Our group will include four athletes – Samuele Cottafava, Gianluca Dal Corso, Marco Viscovich, and Enrico Rossi. This does not mean that we are closing the door to important players such as Daniele Lupo or Alex Ranghieri, since they are all remain under observation, so to speak. Our short-term goal for the next two years is to increase the number of Italian teams competing internationally. There will be major investments, and we will be trying to get to the next Olympic qualification with as many competitive teams as possible. We shall continue to scout youngsters across the country to join our programme, but we still need athletes as experienced as Enrico Rossi is. We will continue to liaise with the sports departments of our armed and law enforcement forces, whose support has been essential to this day,” he concluded. 

Caterina De Marinis will remain at the helm of the women’s programme focussing on four athletes as well: Valentina Gottardi, Reka Orsi Toth, Giada Bianchi, and Claudia Scampoli. Four-time Olympian and 2024 EuroBeachVolley silver medallist Marta Menegatti has decided to take a break from the sport but has nevertheless expressed the wish and hope to return to competitive Beach Volleyball after what she feels is a much-needed pause. 

“We start this Olympic cycle with Caterina and Paolo. I trust them fully and I am sure that our athletes will be providing us with something to cheer about in the near future,” concluded FIPAV President Giuseppe Manfredi.