Bosnia and Herzegovina’s men’s team, a well-established force, and Italy’s women’s team, an emerging competitor, are set to compete at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games from August 29 to September 7 at North Paris Arena.
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Classic Dominance
The Bosnia and Herzegovina men’s national sitting volleyball team has a long history of success in the sport. The team has won six Paralympic medals, including two golds (2004, 2012), three silvers (2000, 2008, 2016), and one bronze, the latest one, at Tokyo 2020.
A key factor in Bosnia’s success is their combination of height, experience, and a strong club league, giving the team a strong foundation that has maintained their high level of play for decades. They have a long list of veterans that could help them win their seventh Paralympic medal.
Bosnia qualified for Paris 2024 by winning the PVE Zone Championship title in 2023, following their silver medal finish at the 2022 World Championships in Sarajevo.
Italy’s Emerging Strength
The Italian women’s team is an emerging powerhouse in sitting volleyball. Coached by Amauri Ribeiro, Italy made their Paralympic debut at Tokyo 2020. Since then, they have shown consistent improvement, highlighted by a European title in Caorle and a fourth-place finish at the 2024 WPV Women’s Super 6 in Nancy.
They secured their place at Paris 2024 by winning the PVE Zone Championship, which they hosted in Caorle. Winning in front of their home crowd was a significant achievement, showcasing their growth and increasing competitiveness on the international stage.
Key players like Sara Cirelli, Francesca Bosio, and Silvia Biasi have been instrumental in Italy’s recent success. Their strong performances have demonstrated their ability to compete with the best in the world, making Italy a team to watch at Paris 2024.
