Daniel Castellani, architect of Poland's first European volleyball gold, dies at 65

A player and coach of distinction

Daniel Castellani was born in Buenos Aires on 21 March 1961. As a player, he was part of Argentina's golden generation, winning bronze at the 1982 World Championship and the 1988 Seoul Olympics. He later played in Italy's top league before transitioning to coaching in the 1990s, first with the Argentine men's national team and then with club side Bolívar Volley, where he won two domestic titles.

Dominance with Skra Bełchatów

Castellani arrived in Poland in 2006 to take over PGE Skra Bełchatów. Over three seasons, he transformed the club into the country's dominant force, winning the PlusLiga title in 2006/07, 2007/08 and 2008/09, along with two Polish Cups. In the 2007/08 season, he guided Skra to the Champions League Final Four in Łódź, where they claimed a historic bronze medal after beating Sisley Volley in the third-place match.

Historic European gold with Poland

In 2009, Castellani was appointed head coach of the Polish men's national team. Within nine months, he achieved what no predecessor had managed: Poland's first European Championship title. The team travelled to Turkey depleted by injuries to key players including Sebastian Świderski, Mariusz Wlazły and Michał Winiarski, yet won all eight matches, culminating in a 3-1 victory over France in the Izmir final. Piotr Gruszka was named tournament MVP and Paweł Zagumny best setter.

“I'm still on cloud nine. I haven't fully grasped what we've done. I look at the medal, I saw the boys on the highest step of the podium, but I still can't believe it.”

The following season proved less successful. An attempt to rejuvenate the squad backfired, with poor performances in the World League and World Championship, and Castellani left the post at the end of 2010.

Later career and legacy

After leaving the Polish national team, Castellani coached Fenerbahçe Istanbul to two Turkish championships, a cup and a supercup. He also led the Finnish national team, ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle (winning the Polish Cup in 2012/13), Sir Safety Perugia, Noliko Maaseik, Olympiakos Piraeus and, most recently, the Argentine women's national team until 2024. His final club stint in Poland was with Indykpol AZS Olsztyn in the 2020/21 season.

Castellani died on 25 June 2026 after a long battle with cancer. The Argentine Volleyball Federation announced his death, saying he "made his mark on the history of modern volleyball as an undisputed leader on and off the court."

Tributes from Polish volleyball

Former players and colleagues remembered Castellani not only for his tactical acumen but for his humanity.

“He was a wonderful man. Until Daniel Castellani arrived, there was no coach like him in Poland. He was more than a volleyball teacher — he was a true professor of volleyball. He knew absolutely everything about the sport.”

“We lost a man who was always willing to help. He helped not only in volleyball. I had a situation where he helped me with private matters in Argentina, expecting nothing in return.”

“He was a very good coach and a very good person. He served as a coach-teacher. He knew exactly how to train players, how to improve not only their mentality but also their skills and technique.”

Jakub Bednaruk recalled how Castellani, even as a rival coach, would openly share advice. "I'd ask, 'Daniel, how do you do it?' and every time he'd say, 'Kuba, try this, try that.' He was always open."

The PlusLiga, Skra Bełchatów and AZS Olsztyn all issued statements mourning the loss of a coach who, as Skra wrote, "will forever remain part of our club and the hearts of fans."