Modena Volley Explained

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Clubname:	Modena Volley
Short Name:	Modena Volley
Fullname:	Valsa Group Modena
Founded:	1966
Ground:	PalaPanini, Modena
Capacity:	4,968
Chairman:	Catia Pedrini
Manager:	Alberto Giuliani
Captain:	Bruno Rezende
League:	Italian Volleyball League
Season:	2020–21
Website:	http://www.modenavolley.it/
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Modena Volley is a professional volleyball team based in Modena, Italy. It has played in the highest level of the Italian Volleyball League without interruption since 1968. It is the most successful Italian club, having won the national league twelve times and the national cup as well. The club is one of the most prominent and prestigious in Europe too, having won thirteen European trophies including four CEV Champions League.

Achievements

• CEV Champions League

(x4) 1990, 1996, 1997, 1998

(x4) 1987, 1988, 1989, 2003

(x1) 1991

• CEV Cup

(x4) 1980, 1986, 1995, 2023

(x1) 2007

• CEV Challenge Cup

(x5) 1983, 1984, 1985, 2004, 2008

(x2) 2000, 2001

• CEV SuperCup

(x1) 1995

(x2) 1990, 1997

• Italian Championship

(x12) 1970, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1995, 1997, 2002, 2016

• Italian Cup

(x12) 1979, 1980, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2015, 2016

• Italian SuperCup

(x4) 1997, 2015, 2016, 2018

History

The club was founded in 1966 by Benito and Giuseppe Panini, owners of Edizioni Panini publishing house, and was named Gruppo Sportivo Panini (or simply G.S. Panini). The club, trained by Franco Anderlini, started from Serie C (the third level of the Italian League) and achieved the Serie A in 1968, taking only two seasons. Since then it has never been relegated to lower divisions.

It took only another season to achieve the first Italian League, in 1969/70: the victory was led by the Czechoslovak superstar Josef Musil. With Anderlini as head coach Modena won three championships, but in 1975/76 he resigned and was replaced by Polish Edward Skorek who acted as player-coach, leading Panini to another national title. By the end of the 1970s Modena clinched four Italian leagues, two Italian cups and its first European trophy, the 1979/80 CEV Cup Winners' Cup, with the Brazilian Bernard Rajzman and the Italian Francesco Dall'Olio as leaders of the team.

In the 1980s Modena had even greater successes: managed by Julio Velasco the team gained four consecutive Italian leagues and many national and international cups. In 1989 Velasco was appointed head of the Italian national team, leaving Modena where he was replaced by Vladimir Jankovic. Even without Velasco, Modena became European champion winning the 1989/90 CEV Champions League.

The team entered the 1990s with financial difficulties and its best players (Vullo, Bernardi, Bertoli, Cantagalli, Lucchetta) left Modena moving to better funded clubs. The Panini era was coming to an end and in 1993 the club changed ownership for the first time, being taken over by Giovanni Vandelli, a ceramic industrialist who renamed the club as Daytona Volley. Vandelli signed Daniele Bagnoli as head coach and brought back Bertoli, Cantagalli and Vullo.Modena soon regained its competitiveness and in five seasons it won twelve trophies, including two Italian Leagues and two CEV Champions Leagues. The 1996/97 season could be regarded as one of the most successful in the club's long history, having achieved the Italian League, the Italian Cup and the Champions League in the same year. The line-up of this legendary season was structured by the setter Fabio Vullo, the opposite hitter Juan Cuminetti, the middle-blockers Bas van de Goor and Andrea Giani, the outside hitters Marco Bracci and Luca Cantagalli: one of the best European teams ever.

1996 was also the year of Giuseppe Panini's death, co-founder and for many years the highly respected president of the club. The municipal administration of Modena entitled the local arena, home of the volleyball team, to his memory as Palazzo dello Sport Giuseppe Panini, commonly referred to as PalaPanini by supporters.In 1997/98, trained by Francesco Dall'Olio, Modena won his third consecutive CEV Champions League.After an unsuccessful comeback of Daniele Bagnoli, Vandelli's club won its last Italian league in 2001/02 with Angelo Lorenzetti as coach.

Vandelli's last trophy was the 2003/04 CEV Cup (now Challenge Cup), then in 2005 he sold the club to a consortium composed of Antonio Barone (a coal industry businessman and former volleyball player, who won two Italian leagues with the Panini team^[1]), Catia Pedrini (Barone's wife) and Giuliano Grani (a merchandising businessman). The name was changed to Pallavolo Modena and Barone became the new president.

During 2008 Barone e Pedrini left the club leaving it in the hands of Grani and new partner Pietro Peia (a long-standing manager of the club). In 2012 even Grani took a step back, leaving Peia as the sole owner. Under the Barone-Grani-Peia ownership Modena won only one trophy with the 2007/08 CEV Challenge Cup, despite great investments to sign notable players like Ángel Dennis, Murilo Endres and Matthew Anderson, and many successive famous coaches like Julio Velasco, Andrea Giani, Silvano Prandi, Daniele Bagnoli (at his third experience at Modena) and Angelo Lorenzetti.

In May 2013 a new consortium composed of Gino Gibertini (dealer of oil products), Antonio Panini (son of Giuseppe Panini), Catia Pedrini, Dino Piacentini (building contractor) and Peter Zehentleitner (CEO of Trenkwalder Italia) acquired the club. Both Gibertini and Piacentini were Panini's players in the seventies. The club's name was changed to Modena Volley Punto Zero with Gibertini as president and Lorenzetti being confirmed as head coach.The coexistence between many partners proved to be difficult and after few months Gibertini, Panini and Zehentleitner left the consortium. Catia Pedrini was then appointed president of the club with Piacentini in the role of vice-president.

For the 2014–15 season the club's name has been modified to Modena Volley with a new logo.On 11 January 2015, the team won its first title in 7 years (the last victory was the CEV Challenge Cup in 2008), by defeating Trentino Volley^[2] in the final of Italian Volleyball Cup.

For the 2015–2016 season Modena decides to strengthen the team by adding the Brazilian middle-blocker Lucas Saatkamp, and replacing Uroš Kovačević with his Serbian compatriot Miloš Nikić. Since October 2015, the club sets a major sponsorship deal with DHL. During the season, the club enlarged his honours with the victories of Italian Supercup in October and the Italian Volleyball Cup in February, by defeating Trentino Volley in both matches. Above all, the main success of the season has been the Italian national title after 14 years, by defeating SIR Safety Perugia in the final by 3–0.

For the 2016–2017 season, there are many changes: the main sponsor DHL and coach Angelo Lorenzetti leave the club, moreover the Brazilians "magic duo" Bruno Rezende and Lucas Saatkamp return to their home country. Nevertheless, Modena reinforces the roster by hiring two of the best middle blockers in the world: Maxwell Holt and Kevin Le Roux. The expert Argentinian setter Santiago Orduna takes place of Bruninho and the Serbian spiker Nemanja Petric is promoted as team Captain. Since September 2016, the new main sponsor of the club is the Italian asset management company Azimut Holding.

Former names

1968–1989	Panini Modena
1989–1991	Philips Modena
1991–1992	Carimonte Modena
1992–1993	Panini Modena
1993–1994	Daytona Modena
1994–1995	Daytona Las Modena
1995–1996	Las Daytona Modena
1996–1997	Las Daytona Modena; Las Valtur Modena
1997–2000	Casa Modena Unibon
2000–2002	Casa Modena Salumi
2002–2003	Kerakoll Modena; Meta Daytona Modena
2003–2004	Kerakoll Modena
2004–2005	Daytona Modena
2005–2008	Cimone Modena
2008–2010	Trenkwalder Modena
2010–2014	Casa Modena
2014–2015	Modena Volley; Parmareggio Modena
2015–2016	DHL Modena
2016–2018	Azimut Modena
2018–2019	Azimut Leo Shoes Modena
2019–2021	Leo Shoes Modena
2021–2022	Leo Shoes PerkinElmer Modena
2022–Present	Valsa Group Modena

• Only at CEV Champions Cup
• Only at Italian SuperCup
• Since 28 February 2015

Team

Team roster – season 2022/2023

No.	Name	Date of birth	Position
1		2 July 1986	setter
3		6 December 2001	outside hitter
4		4 March 1987	outside hitter
5		5 July 2000	libero
6		14 April 2000	middle blocker
7		18 October 1985	middle blocker
9		12 February 1991	outside hitter
10		1 January 2002	opposite
11		22 October 1998	middle blocker
12		29 March 1999	opposite
15		15 August 1994	middle blocker
16		13 September 1997	setter
21		13 July 1986	libero
24		23 June 2005	outside hitter
90		9 November 2001	outside hitter
Head coach: Alberto Giuliani Assistant: Sebastian Carotti

Team roster – season 2021/2022
No.	Name	Date of birth	Position
		2 July 1986	setter
		24 January 1990	outside hitter
		5 July 2000	libero
		14 April 2000	middle blocker
		18 October 1985	middle blocker
		9 January 1992	outside hitter
		12 February 1991	outside hitter
10		1 January 2002	opposite
14		5 February 1992	opposite
16		13 September 1997	setter
17		31 August 1988	outside hitter
18		4 June 1992	middle blocker
21		13 July 1986	libero
Head coach: Andrea Giani

Team roster – season 2020/2021
Leo Shoes Modena
No.	Name	Date of birth	Position
		9 November 2001	outside hitter
		10 March 2000	outside hitter
		3 March 1999	libero
		28 July 1987	outside hitter
		27 October 2001	setter
		14 April 2000	middle blocker
		18 October 1985	middle blocker
		13 August 1990	libero
11	Micah Christenson	8 May 1993	setter
13		12 August 1996	outside hitter
14		26 April 1991	opposite
15		15 August 1994	middle blocker
17		4 March 1996	opposite
18		4 June 1992	middle blocker
19		4 November 1999	outside hitter
Head coach: Andrea Giani Assistant: Sebastian Carotti

Team roster – season 2019/2020
Leo Shoes Modena
No.	Name	Date of birth	Position
		18 April 1987	outside hitter
		10 March 2000	outside hitter
		3 March 1999	libero
		10 February 2000	middle blocker
		14 April 2000	middle blocker
		13 July 1986	libero
		2 April 1997	outside hitter
		2 October 1988	opposite
		25 July 1994	outside hitter
11	Micah Christenson	8 May 1993	setter
12		12 March 1987	middle blocker
15		15 August 1994	middle blocker
16		13 September 1997	setter
18		4 June 1992	middle blocker
20		6 August 2002	setter
23		9 November 2001	outside hitter
90		24 June 1990	outside hitter
Head coach: Andrea Giani Assistant: Luca Cantagalli

Team roster – season 2018/2019
Azimut Leo Shoes Modena
No.	Name	Date of birth	Position
		25 July 1994	outside hitter
		2 November 1990	outside hitter
		8 July 1994	libero
		19 June 1996	outside hitter
		27 July 1997	middle blocker
		13 July 1986	libero
		2 April 1997	outside hitter
		2 October 1988	opposite
		10 May 1995	setter
11		8 May 1993	setter
12		12 March 1987	middle blocker
13		24 February 1992	middle blocker
14		10 February 2000	middle blocker
16		6 August 2002	setter
17		3 September 1988	outside hitter
18		4 June 1992	middle blocker
24		24 June 1990	outside hitter
25		29 May 1993	setter
Head coach: Julio Velasco Assistant: Luca Cantagalli

Team roster – season 2017/2018
Azimut Modena
No.	Name	Date of birth	Position
	Bruno Rezende	2 July 1986	setter
	Jennings Franciskovic	10 May 1995	setter
	Andrea Argenta	1 June 1996	outside hitter
	Maarten Van Garderen	24 January 1990	outside hitter
	Federico Tosi	18 September 1991	libero
		13 July 1986	libero
		9 January 1992	outside hitter
		12 February 1991	outside hitter
10	Giulio Sabbi	10 August 1989	opposite
11	Elia Bossi	15 August 1994	middle blocker
12	Maxwell Holt	12 March 1987	middle blocker
14	Alberto Marra	18 November 1998	middle blocker
15	Giulio Pinali	2 April 1997	outside hitter
16	Chono Penchev	11 December 1994	setter
17	Tine Urnaut	3 September 1988	outside hitter
18	Daniele Mazzone	4 June 1992	middle blocker
Head coach: Radostin Stoytchev Assistant: Dario Simoni

Team roster – season 2016/2017
Azimut Modena
No.	Name	Date of birth	Position
		28 July 1987	outside hitter
		31 August 1983	setter
		2 June 1988	outside hitter
		13 July 1986	libero
		9 January 1992	outside hitter
		12 February 1991	outside hitter
10		11 May 1989	middle blocker
11		24 October 1990	middle blocker
12		12 March 1987	middle blocker
13		28 August 1986	setter
14		18 April 1997	opposite
16		13 September 1997	setter
17		26 April 1991	opposite
Head coach: Lorenzo Tubertini

Team roster – season 2015/2016
DHL Modena
No.	Name	Date of birth	Position
		2 July 1986	setter
		30 April 1988	libero
		28 July 1987	outside hitter
		15 September 1994	setter
		6 February 1984	opposite
		13 July 1986	libero
		20 November 1995	outside hitter
		12 February 1991	outside hitter
10		31 March 1986	outside hitter
11		24 October 1990	middle blocker
12		15 August 1994	middle blocker
14		18 April 1997	opposite
15		2 July 1985	outside hitter
16		6 March 1986	middle blocker
17		26 April 1991	opposite
18		11 August 1994	middle blocker
Head coach: Angelo Lorenzetti Assistant: Lorenzo Tubertini

Notable players

The stars indicate Volleyball Hall of Fame inductees.

1980–1983	Andrea Anastasi
2012–2013	Michele Baranowicz
1969–1973	Antonio Barone
1985–1989 2005–2007	Davide Bellini
1985–1990
1983–1990 1993–1994	Franco Bertoli
2000–2003	Vigor Bovolenta
1994–1998	Marco Bracci
1980–1990 1993–1998 2000–2004	Luca Cantagalli
1971–1981 1984–1986 1994–1995	Francesco Dall'Olio
1986–1987	Ferdinando De Giorgi
2001–2003
1996–2008
1968–1978	Rodolfo Giovenzana
1981–1990 1998–2000	Andrea Lucchetta
2005–2006	Luigi Mastrangelo
1968–1980	Paolo Montorsi
1968–1975	Andrea Nannini
1990–1994 2000–2006	Damiano Pippi
1980–1984	Stefano Recine
1996–1997 2005–2009	Andrea Sartoretti
1968–1981	Stefano Sibani
2003–2005 2008–2009 2017
1986–1990 1994–2000	Fabio Vullo
2018–2020	Ivan Zaytsev
2017–2022	Daniele Mazzone
2007–2012	/ Ángel Dennis

1982–1986	Esteban Martinez
1990–1993
1993–2000	Juan Cuminetti
1990–1993	Waldo Kantor
1984–1986 1987–1988	Raúl Quiroga
2010–2012	Yury Berezhko
1998–2002	Aleksey Kazakov
1997–1998	Evgeni Mitkov
1993–1995	Ruslan Olikhver
2000–2004	Roman Yakovlev
1994–2000
2000–2002	Guido Görtzen
2008–2011	Wytze Kooistra
2009–2012	Dick Kooy
2021–2022	Maarten van Garderen
2021–2022	Nimir Abdel-Aziz
2013–2014	Zbigniew Bartman
1975–1977
2013–2014	Lukas Kampa
1968–1970
2004–2005	Jan Štokr
1978–1980
2003–2007	Luiz Felipe Fonteles
1992–1994
2002–2003 2004–2005
2005–2008
2006–2007
2006–2009
2006–2009
2007–2008
2007–2008
2021–2022
2011 2014–2016 2017–2018 2021–
2015–2018 2021–	Earvin N'Gapeth
2020–2021	Jenia Grebennikov
2011–2012	Viktor Yosifov
2011–2012 2019–2020
2000–2004
2008–2009
2016–2020	Maxwell Holt
2018–2021	Micah Christenson
1988–1990	Doug Partie
2012–2015
2014–2017 2020–2021

Presidents

1966–1993	Giuseppe Panini
1993–2005	Giovanni Vandelli
2005–2007	Antonio Barone
2007–2012	Giuliano Grani
2012–2013	Pietro Peia
2013	Gino Gibertini
2013–2022	Catia Pedrini
2022–Present	Giulia Gabana

Head coaches

Name	Nationality	Years
Franco Anderlini		1966–1975
Edward Skorek		1975–1978
Gian Paolo Guidetti		1978–1983
Andrea Nannini		1983–1985
Julio Velasco		1985–1989
Vladimir Janković		1989–1990
Massimo Barbolini		1990–1992
Bernardo Rezende		1992–1993
Daniele Bagnoli		1993–1997
Franco Bertoli		1996–1997
Francesco Dall'Olio		1997–1998
Bruno Bagnoli		1998–2000
Franco Bertoli		2000
Daniele Bagnoli		2000–2001
Angelo Lorenzetti		2001–2004
Maurizio Menarini		2004
Julio Velasco		2004–2006
Bruno Bagnoli		2006–2007
Andrea Giani		2007–2008
Emanuele Zanini		2008–2009
Silvano Prandi		2009–2011
Daniele Bagnoli		2011–2012
Angelo Lorenzetti		2012–2016
Roberto Piazza		2016–2017
Lorenzo Tubertini		2017
Radostin Stoychev		2017–2018
Julio Velasco		2018–2019
Andrea Giani		2019–2023
Francesco Petrella^[3]		2023–Present

• In November 1996 Daniele Bagnoli suffered serious injuries from a car accident and was replaced by Bertoli until his recovery.
• In February 2000 Bruno Bagnoli was sacked and replaced by Bertoli.
• In January 2004 Lorenzetti was dismissed and replaced by the assistant coach Menarini.
• In December 2008 Giani was sacked and replaced by Zanini.
• In January 2011 Prandi was dismissed and replaced by Daniele Bagnoli.
• In February 2017 Piazza and the club agreed to terminate the contract. He was replaced by the assistant coach Tubertini.

Kit manufacturer

The table below shows the history of kit providers for the Modena team.

Period	Kit provider
1985–1989	Best Company
1989–2003	Asics
2003–2005	A-Line
2005–2017	Macron
2017–2021	Erreà
2021–current	Ninesquared

External links

• Official website
• Team profile at Volleybox.net

Notes and References

1. Web site: Legavolley: atleta Antonio Barone. 10 October 2015. Lega Pallavolo Serie A. it.
2. http://www.scorespro.com/volleyball/livescore/itas-diatec-trentino-vs-trenkwalder-modena/11-01-2015/ Itas Diatec Trentino – Modena Volley 1–3 (19:25, 19:25, 25:23, 12:25)
3. Web site: Superlega, il nuovo allenatore del Modena Volley è Francesco Petrella . 2023-05-22 . ModenaToday . it.