Scandicci are volleyball world champions: a club from Florence’s outskirts makes history

The women’s volleyball club from Scandicci, part of the Florence metropolitan area, lifted the world title in São Paulo after defeating Prosecco DOC Imoco Conegliano in an all-Italian final. The victory crowned a perfect tournament: five matches played, five wins, and only one set dropped across the entire competition.

Beyond the result itself, the title marks the culmination of a long-term project that has gradually turned a team from Florence’s outskirts into one of the strongest forces in international women’s volleyball.

A steady, planned growth

Savino Del Bene Volley’s rise has been built over several seasons through continuity and investment rather than sudden breakthroughs. The club consolidated its presence in Italy’s top division, strengthened its organisational structure and gradually assembled a roster capable of competing at the highest European level.

Reaching the final of the CEV Champions League last season, despite losing to Conegliano, was a key step in that process. That experience helped shape a team that arrived at the Club World Championship with greater awareness of its level and fewer psychological barriers against elite opponents.

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Identity before spectacle

Scandicci’s success is not based on a single star or a spectacular playing style, but on balance and clarity of roles. Under head coach Marco Gaspari, the team has developed a strong defensive system and a disciplined approach in crucial moments, traits that proved decisive throughout the tournament.

The squad combines internationally experienced players with a clear internal hierarchy. Ekaterina Antropova, named Most Valuable Player of the tournament, provided offensive consistency, while captain Maja Ognjenović ensured tactical control. The collective dimension, however, remained central, with contributions spread across all phases of play.

A metropolitan success story

Scandicci is closely linked to Florence, sharing infrastructure, transport links and a large part of its social and economic fabric. In this sense, the world title represents a broader achievement for the Florence area, which rarely reaches the very top of global team sports.

The club’s ability to compete with – and defeat – teams backed by much larger budgets and international brands highlights how a well-managed project from Florence’s hinterland can reach the highest level without losing its local roots.

Celebrations at home

While the final was played in Brazil, celebrations quickly spread back to Tuscany. In Scandicci, the municipal administration organised a public screening of the match inside the town hall, where fans gathered to follow the final together.

For a city better known for its proximity to Florence than for sporting headlines, Savino Del Bene Volley’s world title has redefined Scandicci’s place on the international volleyball map — not as an outsider, but as a reference point.

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