A total of 474 appearances for the national team established a record for Italian volleyball that defined a generation of play. Andrea Giani, born in Naples in 1970, transitioned from a versatile athlete who began his sporting journey with football and rowing to a dominant force on the court as an all-rounder with exceptional technical and jumping capabilities.
Early Development and Club Success
Giani began his volleyball career in 1985 at age 14 with a local team in Sabaudia. His performance attracted interest from major Italian clubs, leading him to join the junior program of Maxicono Parma under coach Gian Paolo Montali. He reached his first scudetto final in 1987 before securing his first Italian Championship title in 1990.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →International Dominance
The 1990s marked a period of international achievement for Giani, who secured three consecutive World Championship titles in 1990, 1994, and 1998. His impact on the international stage extended to four European Championship titles won between 1993 and 2003. A five-time Olympian, Giani competed in the Games from 1988 through 2004. He earned three Olympic medals, securing silvers in 1996 and 2004, and a bronze in 2000. In 2008, he received formal recognition for his contributions to the sport through his induction into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame.
Transition to Coaching
Following his retirement from international play in 2005, Giani continued his club career with Cimone Modena until 2008, winning two CEV Champions League titles. He moved into management during the 2007–2008 season, winning the CEV Challenge Cup. His coaching career expanded internationally when he took charge of the Slovenia men's national team in 2015, leading them to a European Volleyball League victory and a silver medal at the 2015 European Championship. Later, he served as head coach for the German national team starting in 2017, and currently leads the France national team and the Polish club ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle.
Fast facts
- Born: 22 April 1970, Naples
- International caps: 474
- Olympic participation: 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004
- World Championship titles: 1990, 1994, 1998
- European Championship titles: 1993, 1995, 1999, 2003
- Hall of Fame induction: 2008
- Officer of the Order of Merit: 2004
- Knight of the Order of Merit: 2000
Questions readers ask
What positions did Andrea Giani play?
He was a versatile player who performed as an outside hitter, a middle blocker, and an opposite spiker during his career.
Which major coaching roles has he held?
He has managed the Slovenia and Germany men's national teams, the French national team, and clubs including Modena Volley and ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle.
Achievements
- Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
- Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
- Competed at the 1996 Summer Olympics
- Competed at the 2000 Summer Olympics
- Competed at the 1988 Summer Olympics
- Competed at the 2004 Summer Olympics
- Competed at the 1992 Summer Olympics
- 1990 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship
- 1994 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship
- 1998 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship
