Lorenzo Bernardi

Lorenzo Bernardi (born 11 August 1968) is an Italian professional volleyball coach and former player, a silver medallist at the Olympic Games Atlanta 1996, two–time World Champion (1990, 1994), and a two–time European Champion (1989, 1995).

Bernardi was elected the best player of the 1994 World Championship and 1995 European Championship, and in 2001, the FIVB declared him to be the "Volleyball Player of the Century" with Karch Kiraly.

Career Born in Trento, Bernardi started his long career in the 1980s as setter, but later was switched to hitter and passer. From 1985 he played with the Panini Modena club. Bernardi won the Italian championship nine times with Modena and with Sisley Treviso, which he played for from 1990 to 2001.

His first cap with Italy national volleyball team was on 27 May 1987, he played for a total of 306 times in "Azzurri" colours, winning two European gold medals in (1989 and 1995), two World Championships (1990 and 1994), three Volleyball World Leagues and the Volleyball World Cup in 1995. His international tally also includes two more gold medals, five silver medals and one bronze. Lorenzo was named the most valuable player of the 1992 FIVB World League after the Italians won the event for the third time in a row. Lorenzo was named the Best Player of the 1994 FIVB World Championship after Italy captured the gold medal for the second consecutive time. During Bernardi's final Olympic Games appearance in 1996 in Atlanta, Italy won all five of its Pool B matches in straight sets. Italy continued its success with a four-set victory over Argentina in the quarterfinals, followed by a four-set semifinal victory over Serbia and Montenegro to reach its first-ever Olympic gold-medal match. However, Netherlands battled to a five-set victory leaving Italy with the silver medal. Lorenzo was named the Best Player of the 1994 FIVB World Championship after Italy captured the gold medal for the second consecutive time. In 2004, he played some competitions in Qatar and after a spell in Greece and Olympiacos, he has returned to play in Italy as of November 2005. In spite of his late age of 37, he was declared MVP of the first match in his new Italian club career. In his later career he played for a B1 series (Italy's third category) near his native Trento, finishing his playing career with Montichiari in 2007. Overall, Bernardi competed 306 times for Italy in international competition. Lorenzo was part of nine Italian League championship teams to cement his legendary status in his home country. During the 2010/2011 season, he took over the head coach position of the Polish club Jastrzębski Węgiel, and was able to reach the 4th spot in the CEV Champions League. Bernardi in 2014 was named new coach of the Halkbank Ankara. In November 2016, he replaced Slobodan Kovač as coach of Sir Safety Perugia.

Style played Lorenzo Bernardi’s 2011 hall of fame induction describes him as a “multi-talented hitter and excellent passer”. His varied experience (as both a setter and outside) helped him more effectively cover his teammates while targeting opposition weaknesses. As a hitter, this translated to unpredictable attacks. In this 1994 match versus Cuba, he is seen hitting off the blocker’s hands, tipping strategically, and swinging hard at many different targets on the court.

Honours As a player CEV European Champions Cup

CEV Cup

CEV Challenge Cup

Domestic

As a coach Domestic

Individual awards 1992: FIVB World League – Most valuable player 1992: FIVB Club World Championship – Most valuable player 1994: FIVB World Championship – Most valuable player 1996: FIVB World League – Most valuable player 1996: FIVB World League – Best scorer

State awards