Career
He played as a flanker. He was one of the best Italian rugby players of his generation. Giovanelli started his career at his local team of Rugby Noceto Football Club, being promoted to the first category in 1984.
He would play there until 1990/91, moving then to Amatori Rugby Milano, which he represented from 1991/92 to 1996/97.
lieutenant was the most successful time of his career, winning three Italian Championship titles, in 1992/93, 1994/95 and 1995/96 and one Cup of Italy, in 1994/95. He moved to France in 1997, where he would play for Paris Université Club Rugby during one season, moving then to Remote Control Narbonne, where he would stay for the season of 1998/99.
Giovanelli returned to Italy, playing then for Rugby Rovigo (1999/2000). He left competition for some years due to an eye problem, but returned for a final spell with Rugby Colomo, where he would play from 2003/04 to 2006/07, finishing his career aged 40.
Giovanelli had 60 caps for Italy, from 1989 to 2000, scoring 4 tries, 19 points in aggregate.
He was the captain for 37 caps. He was selected for three Rugby World Cup finals, playing 2 times at the 1991 Rugby World Cup, never being capped at the 1995 Rugby World Cup and playing three times at the 1999 Rugby World Cup. He was also the captain of Italy in this last presence.
His eye injury forced him to leave the national team afterwards.
He was inducted at the World Rugby Museum Wall of Fame in Twickenham on 17 February 2001. He also graduated in architecture in 2003.