Women
Men talk, women win
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Top Girls: Volley on Top of the World, Soccer in European Semifinals, and Maximum Softball and Tennis. Female Victories, Males Down with Excuses and Failures.
Girls with balls: this is how the narrative of Italian sports is being rewritten.
It’s not a reference to male attributes, but to sports played with balls: soccer, volleyball, softball, and tennis.
Girls with balls is not just a provocative title: it’s a recognition of those who have achieved more in a few years than males (in many cases) have done in decades.
Meanwhile, the men are struggling like old scratched VHS tapes, between useless press conferences and games that make you want to watch curling at two in the morning.
The Victories: These are the Balls that Matter
Women’s Volleyball
The Italian team led by Julio Velasco made a bang: they are world champions, defeating Turkey 3-2 in the final of the 2025 Women’s World Championships.
Prior to this, they had already won the Nations League, with staggering numbers: 36 consecutive victories in official competitions including two VNL titles, the Olympic gold in Paris 2024, and now the world title.

Women’s volleyball has become a living treatise on what it means to be a “team”.
Velasco, a coach with the calm of a Zen philosopher and the ferocity of a surgeon, has led the Italian team to a World Championship that is not just a trophy, but an epic poem.
Paola Egonu, Myriam Sylla, Anna Danesi, and their teammates have built a machine that knows no arrogance: only celebrations that taste of gratitude.
Women’s Softball
Italy has confirmed their European championship title by defeating the Netherlands 4-3 in a hard-fought final at the European Softball Championships.
Women’s softball, often overlooked until victory, has delivered another European title. Piancastelli and her teammates resolve matches with technique and serenity. And when they win, they don’t ask for million-dollar bonuses, they ask for respect.
“No need to shout, we need to stay together” is the mantra of Federico Pizzolini, coach of the Italian softball team, now the hallmark of a team that keeps winning titles.
Erika Piancastelli, Isabella Dayton, Barbara McKenzie, and others not only attack brilliantly but defend like lions, from the pitching mound to the final out. Clean play, respect for the opponent, winning with sweat, not with words.
Women’s Soccer
The Italian women’s team has reached the semifinals of the 2025 European Championships after 28 years: they defeated Norway 2-1 in the quarterfinals with a brace from Cristiana Girelli.
Cristiana Girelli
The European semifinal achieved by Soncin’s team is historic. Cristiana Girelli scores with the decisiveness that male colleagues have been missing for years.
Meanwhile, the men’s national team is adrift, more concerned with the color of the third jersey than with scoring. Watching them is a bit like watching a group of forty-year-olds trying TikTok: embarrassing.
The weight of the statistic, 28 years: that’s how long it has been since the last European semifinal of the women’s national team. The men, on the other hand, have been spectators at two consecutive World Cups.
Soncin as a coach has brought pride and methodology: no media drama, no bombastic announcements. Just work, sacrifices, and a team that is growing. And a language all in the feminine.
Girls’ Tennis: These are Balls Too
Jasmine Paolini wrote a memorable page at the 2025 Italian Internationals: she won in singles and doubles, alongside Sara Errani. She is the first Italian in history to achieve such a feat (and of gender?).

In the doubles, Errani-Paolini defeated Coco Gauff/Erin Routliffe in the final, bringing an “Italian” title back to women’s doubles in Rome after many years.
The Embarrassing Comparison with Males
The male national soccer team has been a disaster for years: not only in recent European Championships but especially in the absence of titles, continuity, and character.
While the Azzurre make history, the males settle for a few faded qualifications, a few “maybes” in the playoffs, and often not even that.
In men’s volleyball, the recent results are light years away, while the women’s team racks up victory after victory.
Without useless internal clashes, without the theatrics of defeat becoming a national tragedy: they lose, they learn, they come back stronger.
Girls and Boys in the Last 5 Years
Soccer: female players reach the semifinals, male players don’t even qualify for the World Cup.
- Women: 2025 European Championship semifinal, successful World Cup qualifications.
- Men: eliminated from two consecutive World Cups (2018 and 2022), early exit from Euro 2024.
Volleyball: female volleyball players win everything, male counterparts talk about a “finished cycle”.
- Women: Olympic gold (2024), World Championship gold (2025), two Nations League titles.
- Men: no gold medals, some lost finals, inconsistent performance.
Softball: many think softball is the female version of baseball, they need to reconsider
- Women: European champions (2025).
- Men: recent placements outside the podium.
Tennis: female tennis players smile in doubles, male players struggle with double faults.
- Women: Internazionali d’Italia title (Paolini, 2025, singles + doubles).
- Men: some ATP semifinals, no significant titles in home tournaments.
Men in Italian sports seem to spend more time justifying defeats than building victories.
The Beauty of Authenticity
What impresses the most is not just the list of achievements: it’s how they win.
Without excessive ego, without turning every victory into propaganda, with respect for the opponent, with determination but also humility.
The Azzurre don’t just shout “I am the strongest”: they demonstrate, with actions, with tears, with trembling hands but unwavering determination.
And this is the great lesson: you can be strong, victorious, dominant, without being arrogant.
Girls Who Win with Balls
You don’t need that kind of attribute to be a winner. Here we are talking about a different kind of strength, to quote the philosopher Alessandra Chiricosta.
All athletes know how to leverage their best characteristics, which coaches know how to value and put at the service of the team or the goal.
Some excellent examples:
- Cristiana Girelli, who carries the team on her shoulders in decisive moments in the European Championships. Not one to hide.
- Paola Egonu, a physical (and mental) force of nature, a volleyball star who blocks shots like they’re beers at the village fair. 30 points in the final, monstrous attack percentages, silent leadership. On the court, she looks like a Greek myth with kneepads.
- Erika Piancastelli & co. in softball: hitting, defense, game vision; essential when the score is tight.

- Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani: two different generations, united in the challenge, in doubles, in singles. Tennis artistry and heart.
When Girls Win
What girls with balls teach us is that sports can still be a clean place: of effort, of body, of collective poetry.
If males continue to make excuses, it doesn’t matter much: there are the Azzurre, to remind us that victory is not arrogance, but the simplest and most radical form of truth (and not of masculinity).
Italian female athletes win with clarity and passion, embodying a healthy and collective competitiveness.
It’s time for those managing Italian sports to understand: investing in the female side is not a secondary issue, it’s what works best.
And when girls win, everyone should rejoice, but above all, learn.
Women
“Don’t you watch it?” – Recap of the 3rd round – Soccer style
The weekly appointment with "Macché te lo guardi?" is back, the column by Calciostyle dedicated to the Serie A Women’s Championship 2025/2026. Here is the third matchday!
The women’s football movement in Italy has been gaining more and more attention in recent years, attracting the interest of millions of fans who follow the sport in our beloved Boot. Despite there still being a vast majority of people who "snub" this category, in recent seasons there have been several events and achievements that have elevated women’s football to a very high level.
We cannot ignore the transition to professionalism (July 1, 2022) and reaching milestones that were unthinkable just a few years ago, such as attracting 40,000 spectators to a single match.
Compared to other European countries (especially Spain and England), the difference in audience and interest surrounding women’s football is still significant. The performances of the Italian National Team (reaching the semifinals) at the European Championship in Switzerland this summer certainly brought a lot of attention to the entire movement, but there is still a long way to go to give the right spotlight to the Italian championship.
Taking advantage of the irreverence of the column title "Macché, te lo guardi?", we want to shed further light on a reality that is gaining more and more ground in our beloved country: women’s football. Because in the end, we Italians are only interested in watching and being able to comment on the game of football, regardless of who is playing.
Serie A Women, the third matchday
The third matchday of Serie A Women has concluded. A round filled with many firsts: Genoa, in front of their fans, secures the joy of their first historic victory in the top league by defeating Ternana, the only team still at zero points in the standings. Sassuolo and Juventus also secure their first league wins. The 2005 class Eto and the ’90 class Girelli decide the matches against Como and Lazio, respectively.
At the top of the standings flies Roma by Rossettini, who defeats Napoli away with the league’s top scorer Corelli, author of the decisive brace. A goal fest at Viola Park between Fiorentina and Milan with Pinones Arce’s girls clinching an important victory in the final seconds.
It’s the second consecutive draw for Inter by Piovani, as they settle for a 0-0 against Parma.
Historic first win for Genoa in Serie A!
Genoa – Ternana 3 – 1
- 31′ Hilaj (G), 35′ Pellegrino (T), 66′ Lipman (G), 69′ Monterubbiano (G)
The Genoa secures their first historic victory in the top league. In front of their fans, the Grifone triumphs over the other promoted team Ternana. The first half at La Sciorba is lively, with the visitors starting strong and putting the Rossoblù defense under pressure. At the 28th minute, Ternana takes the lead with Pellegrino Cimò, but the goal is disallowed due to an offside position.
Aware of the scare, Genoa pushes forward and breaks the deadlock at the 31st minute. A scramble in the penalty area after a free kick, with Hilaj making the most of the loose ball and scoring. Ternana’s response and any offensive attempts rely on Pellegrino Cimò. The former Samp player, played into space, unleashes a powerful shot under the bar, restoring parity after less than 4 minutes.
The second half sees the 2006 class trying to score again. The Ternana, however, capitulates shortly after the hour mark, conceding two goals to Genoa. In this early part of the season, the Achilles’ heel of Cincotta’s team is set pieces, particularly corners.
The one-two punch from Genoa capitalizes on this crucial aspect. First Lipman and then Monterubbiano take advantage of the guest defense’s lapses, virtually sealing the match.
The newly promoted Ternana remains without points. A fundamental victory for the Grifone.
The 2005 class Eto gifts Sassuolo their first three points
Sassuolo – Como 1 – 0
- 12′ Eto (S)
The Sassuolo, coached by Mister Spugna, secures their first league victory at home against Como, who were coming off a surprising win against Juventus. A very entertaining and lively match with the home team immediately seeking the lead.
The spotlight is stolen by the young 2005 class Eto, a former PSG player. The Cameroonian forward opens a shooting contest that lasts the whole game against the Larian goalkeeper. Indeed, she scores the first strike of the match, as the Neroverdi approach the Como defense. From the resulting corner, Sassuolo takes the lead. A short corner finds Clelland on the flank, who crosses for Eto to head home unmarked in the center of the penalty area.
The game continues in the same vein, with Sassuolo, especially Eto, creating chance after chance but failing to convert. Como tries, especially in the second half, but their lack of ruthlessness means they hardly trouble Durand.
As the match nears its end, Como protests vehemently for a handball in the Sassuolo penalty area. Despite a review by the Football Video Support (FVS), the referee does not award the penalty, condemning the Larian team to their second defeat in three matchdays.
Crazy match at Viola Park: Fiorentina clinches it in injury time
Fiorentina – Milan 4 – 3
- 26′ Severini (F); 32′, 77′ Renzotti (M), 37′ Soffia (M); 58′, 90+4′ Janogy (F), 90+7′ Tryggvadottir
A match full of strong emotions at Viola Park between Fiorentina and Milan: 7 goals, chances on both sides, and a game decided in the dying moments. Everything happens at Pinones Arce’s stadium.
To open the scoring, Severini converts a penalty won by Snerle. Fiorentina’s lead lasts only 5 minutes as Milan turns the game around. Renzotti levels the score at 32′ with a decisive strike from the penalty area, and Soffia makes it 2-1 for the Rossoneri with a clever touch from Kyvag’s backheel at 37′.
The second half is played at the same frantic pace as the first. Fiorentina, just before the hour mark, equalizes with Janogy, skillfully heading in a corner. The Rossoneri, led by Renzotti, refuse to back down and take the lead again at 77′.
The 3-2 scoreline seems to bury Fiorentina, but in injury time, the unthinkable happens. The duo Janogy-Tryggvadóttir carries the team on their shoulders, leading them to an unexpected victory just minutes before. The entire stadium erupts in joy as the Icelandic striker puts the ball into the net after getting past Giuliani at the 97th minute.
Roma soars: Corelli top scorer and top of the table
Napoli – Roma 1 – 3
- 46′ Dragoni (R); 49′, 82′ Corelli (M), 90+1′ Vanmechelen
A third consecutive victory in the league and top of the table. The Serie A season could not have started better for Roma by Rossettini, who, in their first top clash, beat Sassarini’s Napoli 3-1 at the Piccolo.
A fairly tight first half gives way to a much livelier second half. Roma immediately takes the lead with Giulia Dragoni. Sgasata on the right by Bergamaschi, who enters the penalty area and serves the arrival of the 2006 class with a precise low shot into the far corner.
With the game opened up, the Giallorosse gain confidence and just three minutes later, double their advantage. Corelli, sent through on goal, takes full advantage of the late Napoli defense with a powerful strike that Bacic can do nothing about.
Roma, with a comfortable lead, manages the match, smoothly sailing towards the end. In the 82nd minute, the current league leaders also score a third, again through Corelli. The yellow-red striker is having a fantastic start to the season: 4 goals and 2 assists in three league games already.
Napoli, with time running out, finds a consolation goal with a long-range strike from Vanmechelen that sneaks under the crossbar.
Girelli gives Juventus their first win
Lazio – Juventus 0 – 1
- 86′ Girelli (J)
A penalty kick from Girelli is enough for Juventus to return to victory and secure the first three points of the season. The match at Fersini in Formello pits two teams in completely different form states against each other. On one side, Lazio, coming off a blistering start to the season and unbeaten in 7 rounds. On the other, Juventus, the reigning Italian champions, still without a win after two matchdays (a first in Serie A history).
The balanced first half offers opportunities for both sides: Juventus with Bonansea and Thomas, and Lazio with Piemonte forcing De Jong to make a superb save. In the second half, the game heats up, with both teams wasting chances. In Lazio, Goldoni and Piemonte miss the chance to take the lead, while in Juventus, in addition to Cascarino and Beccari, Girelli sees her goal denied by Durante’s lightning-fast reflexes.
The turning point of the match arrives at the 84th minute. In a header in the Lazio penalty area, Goldoni touches the ball with her arm in an awkward manner, and the referee has no doubt in pointing to the penalty spot. Girelli steps up and converts, scoring Juventus’ first goal of the season and, more importantly, sealing the first three points of the season.
Golden point for Parma in Milan: Inter and Parma settle for a 0-0 draw
Inter – Parma 0 – 0
It’s the second consecutive draw for Inter by Piovani, as they play out a dull 0-0 against the newly promoted Parma at the Arena Civica Gianni Brera. The home team dominates the game from the early minutes, but there are few opportunities in the first half to trouble Ceasar’s goal.
In the second half, Inter tries more persistently, coming close to scoring with Glionna and Tomaselli in two chances. The former Roma winger hits the post with a sure shot before missing wide on the rebound. The midfielder, on an assist from Glionna, sends her effort wide from the center of the yellow-blue area. The balls rain down on the Parma goalkeeper, but never truly trouble her, thanks to an organized and compact Parma defense.
A bitter draw for the Nerazzurre, who miss the opportunity to close the gap on Roma in the standings. A good draw for Parma, confirming their last-minute victory against Sassuolo in the previous round.
Serie A Women, standings and next matchday
| Teams | Points | G | W | D | L | GD |
|————|——–|—|—|—|—|—-|
| Roma | 9 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Lazio | 6 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Napoli | 6 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Inter | 5 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| Fiorentina | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Sassuolo | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Juventus | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Parma | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -3 |
| Genoa | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Milan | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -1 |
| Como | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -1 |
| Ternana | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -8 |Next Matchday:
- Saturday, November 1
- Parma vs. Napoli at 12:30
- Milan vs. Lazio at 15:00
- Como vs. Genoa at 18:00
- Sunday, November 2
- Roma vs. Inter at 12:30
- Juventus vs. Ternana at 15:00
- Sassuolo vs. Fiorentina at 18:00
Women
Inter Women, the European dream continues: surpassing Vllaznia

Important victory for Inter Women who easily surpass Vllaznia and secure a spot in the Women’s Europa Cup round of 16. Piovani’s girls offered another great performance after the 7-0 in the first leg, adding 5 more goals away from home, practically securing their qualification in the competition. Vllaznia-Inter Women 0-5, a show of strength from the Nerazzurri […]
The post Inter Women, il sogno europeo continua: superato il Vllaznia first appeared on Calcio style.
Women
Wednesday’s results in the Women’s Champions League – Soccer style
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Disappointing home debut for Rossettini’s Roma. Defeated 0-4 against Barcelona’s aliens in a sold-out Tre Fontane.
Second matchday and second defeat for Roma under Rossettini in the Women’s Champions League. After facing Real Madrid a week ago, Roma welcomed the aliens from Barcelona. “Aliens” because they are not only one of the strongest, if not the strongest, teams in the world, but also had a superb start to the season.
Since the beginning of the 2025/2026 season, Barcelona has played 8 matches, winning all of them, scoring 44 goals and conceding only two. A true powerhouse, which also crushed the Giallorossa team in a completely sold-out Tre Fontane.
ROMA FEMMINILE FORMATION (PHOTO BY SALVATORE FORNELLI)
Despite a significant technical gap, Rossettini‘s girls managed to keep up with the Spanish team in the first half, ending the first half only one goal down, scored less than two minutes into the match. Roma played a defensive game, trying to limit Barcelona‘s constant passing game and exploiting their high defensive line for counterattacks.
The opportunity for an equalizer came to Viens, who faced the opposing goalkeeper one-on-one but was unable to score. In the second half, due to collective fatigue, Barcelona scored three more goals past Baldi‘s goal. The Spanish team also missed a penalty with former Ballon d’Or winner Putellas, who shot high.
Despite the differences on the field, there are positive aspects for coach Rossettini to take into account for the upcoming matches in the league and Champions League, where the opponents will be, at least on paper, more manageable and within reach.
Roma – Barcelona 0 – 4
(2′ Brugts, 58′ Nazareth, 71′ pen. Putellas, 90′ Hansen)
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