The Italians will be competing in their second SWATCH FIVB World Tour Finals by qualifying via their international ranking.  Lupo and Nicolai placed fifth in the inaugural SWATCH FIVB World Tour Finals after losing in the 2015 quarter-finals to Alison Cerutti and Bruno Oscar Schmidt of Brazil.  Ten months later, Lupo and Nicolai also lost to the Brazilian pair in the gold medal match at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.  After reaching at least the quarter-finals in five of their first six events in 2017, Lupo and Nicolai have placed 17th in their last two FIVB World Tour starts at the Gstaad Major and the FIVB World Championships in Vienna.  One of the more experienced pairs at the 2017 SWATCH FIVB World Tour Finals, Lupo and Nicolai will be looking to validate their silver medal finish at the Rio 2016 Olympics Games with a podium placement in Hamburg.  The Italians have captured three FIVB World Tour titles, including 2014 back-to-back tournament wins in China (Fuzhou and Shanghai).  Nicolai debuted on the FIVB World Tour in 2008 (90 FIVB World Tour appearances) with Lupo’s initial start in 2010 (70 events).  Lupo and Nicolai’s best FIVB World Tour finishes have been together with 18 podium placements and 20 “final four” finishes in 66 events.