"They're lucky, comparing them to the big teams of the past is ridiculous. But who knows them?": Serbia's goal against Italy in volleyball. Velasco: "I don't care"

The head coach of Serbia's women’s volleyball team, Zoran Terzic, has launched a pointed critique against Italy ahead of their potential showdown in the European Championship, calling comparisons between the current Italian national team and past greats "ridiculous." The remarks have sparked debate among fans and analysts, with Italian coach Julio Velasco dismissing them as irrelevant distractions. The two teams are set to face each other only in the final, should they both reach that stage, but tensions are already high as the tournament enters its decisive phase. Terzic made his comments during a press conference following Italy’s dominant performance in the group stages, which saw them win all five matches with just one set lost to France. He argued that the current Italian squad lacks the depth and recognition of previous generations, pointing out that few outside the sport could name more than one of Italy’s key players beyond veteran middle blocker Sylla. "There were real monsters back in the day," he said, referring to legendary players from various nations. "Now, there are some very good players, but I don’t think this is a great team." He specifically highlighted Egonu, Italy’s star opposite hitter, as a player of elite quality but suggested that her presence alone does not elevate the entire team to the level of past champions. Terzic also questioned whether the Italian success was partly due to luck and weaker opposition, noting that generational changes had affected the balance of power in women’s volleyball. He expressed confidence that Serbia would be the ones to dethrone Italy if they meet in the final, adding that the Italian team might falter after suffering their first loss. Velasco responded to Terzic’s comments with characteristic calm, stating that the Italian team pays no attention to external noise, including social media, rival coaches, or even advice from family members. "We know what we're doing," he said. "What others say doesn't affect us. Our focus is solely on our game and our preparation." His comments reflect a broader strategy within the Italian camp to remain unfazed by criticism and maintain internal unity ahead of crucial matches. Italy’s path to the final will require overcoming several challenges before facing Serbia. Their immediate task is to defeat Sweden in a match scheduled for September 2, maintaining their perfect record in the competition. With a strong foundation built on recent successes, including Olympic and World Championship titles, the Italian team appears confident despite the verbal jabs from their rivals. Serbia, meanwhile, has not shied away from criticizing other teams either. Terzic also took aim at Turkey’s inclusion of naturalized players such as Melissa Vargas, Alexia Carutasu, and Sinead Jack, suggesting that such moves could undermine the integrity of international competitions. However, his primary focus remains on Italy, whom he views as the main threat in the tournament. The rivalry between Italy and Serbia has long been intense in women’s volleyball, with both nations boasting rich histories and numerous accolades. This European Championship has added another layer of complexity, particularly with the possibility of a final showdown. While the outcome of such a match remains uncertain, the verbal sparring between the two coaching staffs underscores the high stakes involved. As the tournament progresses, both teams will need to demonstrate resilience and adaptability. For Italy, maintaining their winning streak is critical, while Serbia aims to prove that they can challenge the reigning champions. The upcoming match against Sweden will serve as a litmus test for Italy’s ability to handle pressure and continue their dominance in the competition.