Year in Review: Europeans dominate Age Group World Championships
Editorial
If there was ever a question about it, the 2021 Age Group World Championships played around the planet answered it out loud – the future is bright for European volleyball.
Teams from the continent won each of the four tournaments played between July in September and, more than that, took home ten of the 12 medals in play with Italy, Russia, Poland, Serbia and Bulgaria claiming podium finishes.
Italy had arguably the most prolific summer, as the country stoke gold in the Women’s U20 and Men’s U21 events, while Russia prevailed in the Girls’ U18 and Poland topped the podium in the Boys’ U19 tournament.
Full European podium in the Women’s U20
The first event of the season was the one of the Women’s U20 age group, which was played in Belgium and the Netherlands in July. European teams used the home court advantage to their favor, taking all four semifinal spots and securing each of the three spots at the podium.
Led by tournament MVP and setter Gaia Guiducci, Italy cruised past Serbia to take gold in straight sets and return to the top in the category after ten years. Russia secured a third-straight podium appearance by taking bronze after a five-set battle against the Netherlands.
Gaia Guiducci“Becoming champions of the world is something that we have been dreaming of for such a long time! Throughout the whole competition, we have been able to keep our faith alive. Since we started preparation for this championship, we knew that we could achieve our goal. It is a dream come true! This group of players deserves this title.”
Women’s U20 World Championship gold medalist & MVP
Poland take Boys’ U19 world title
In August, competition moved to Tehran, Iran, where the best Boys’ U19 teams of the world played and Europe showed strength once again, taking home both the gold and silver medals.
Pushed by stellar performances of MVP opposite Tytus Nowik, Poland triumphed for the second time in four editions with a clean sweep of Bulgaria in the final. Iran prevented an All-European podium with a five-set victory over Russia in the bronze medal match.
Tytus Nowik“I feel amazing for winning the gold medal. It's a great honour because we achieved this losing just one set. I'm happy for myself and for my team. I can't wait to get back home to celebrate it with my family and friends.”
Boys’ U19 World Championship gold medalist & MVP
Russia prevail in the Girls’ U18
The Mexican city of Durango witnessed another European victory, this time at the Girls’ U18 World Championship, in September.
Russia triumphed for the third time in history and the first in 28 years as the team completed a dominating campaign with a straight-set victory over Italy in the gold medal match. The United States prevented a European sweep with a 3-1 win over Serbia to secure bronze.
Natalia Suvorova“We are the champions of the world. We were really nervous and concentrated since last night when we were preparing the teams’ strategy. Back home we trained for several months to come here and this is our reward; we are the best in the world. I believe our blocking and serves were crucial in today’s victory.”
Girls’ U18 World Championship gold medalist & MVP
Michieletto leads Italian victory in Men’s U21
The international season ended for youth players from around the world in October, when Italy and Bulgaria hosted the Men’s U21 World Championship and saw another all-European podium be set up.
To the delight of the home fans in Cagliari, Italy was dominant in the gold medal match, taking Russia down in three sets. The two teams joined Poland, which defeated Argentina in the bronze medal match, at the podium.
The tournament was particularly special for Italian star outside hitter Alessandro Michieletto, who joined the team midway through the tournament after competing at the Tokyo Olympics and helping the country’s senior team win the EuroVolley.
Alessandro Michieletto“I am living a dream now! I am thankful to all my teammates, to the staff, because it wasn't easy. It was a complicated tournament for us, despite the results that might have looked like easy victories from the outside. I want to thank again my teammates and the staff, who took care of me and helped me work in the best possible conditions, so that I can support the team as well.”
Men’s U21 World Championship gold medalist & MVP