Gerdau Minas and Sada Cruzeiro have been crowned the winners of Brazil’s Cup 2023.
Gerdau Minas won the women’s title beating Dentil/Praia Clube 3-1 (28-26, 25-18, 15-25, 25-17) while Sada Cruzeiro reached its seventh title of the men’s tournament after a 3-0 (25-18, 25-21, 25-23) shutout of Farma Conde Vôlei SJC. The competition was held at Arena Jaraguá do Sul in Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Brazil’s Cup brings together the eight best ranked teams in the first round of the qualifying round of the women's and men's Superliga for the 2022/2023 season.
Gerdau Minas relied on the efficiency of the block to win the game
Gerdau Minas relied on the efficiency of the block to win the game, scoring 16 points on that basis. The opposite Kisy was the highest scorer of the final (25 points). Two-time Olympic champion Thaísa was one of the pillars of victory. She scored 10 points, five of them from blocks. The title in Jaraguá do Sul also qualified Gerdau Minas to the 2023 Super Cup and the 2024 South American Club Championship.
“In decisive moments our team has shown strength. It's a story that has been repeated at Minas, it's the strength of the team, all together. Our block worked a lot. We are reaping the fruits of this work,” said Thaísa.
Another important name in the final game, spiker Pri Daroit, who scored 18 points, celebrated the title after being left out of the beginning of the season.
“It was a very important championship for our team. We are evolving, and the team reached this final stage stronger. I couldn't play at the beginning of the season, but I'm happy to be here today on the court and have my work recognised,” said Daroit.
Sada Cruzeiro claimed the club’s seventh Brazil’s Cup title
In the men's competition, Sada Cruzeiro claimed their seventh cup trophy after a 3-0 (25/18, 25/21 and 25/23) shutout of Farma Conde Vôlei SJC. The serve was decisive for the victory, there were eight aces and the quality of the serve made it difficult for the opposition to return.
As in the semifinals, Cuban attacker López was the main name of Sada Cruzeiro on the court and ended another match as the top scorer. In the final he scored 17 points.
Cuban attacker López was Sada Cruzeiro’s top scorer with 17 points
“The team is to be congratulated on the work done. And I was once again able to contribute to achieving the result. It's another title for Sada Cruzeiro and it's an honour to be part of this project. This victory motivates us even more to continue the season,” said López.
Having won the title six times as a player (2014, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021), Filipe Ferraz has now won Brazil’s Cup title for the first time as Sada Cruzeiro’s coach. He had already won a South American Club Championship, the Club World Championship, two State Championships, two National Championships and two Super Cups.
“It was the title I was missing as Sada’s coach. I am very grateful for the the coaching staff and the focus of the players,” celebrated Filipe.
Otávio, middle-blocker and captain of Sada Cruzeiro, praised the strength of the group in the competition.
“This title was missing last season and this time we managed to win it with a lot of determination and a lot of struggle. I have to praise this team that dedicated itself a lot to return to the top of the podium of Brazil’s Cup,” said Otávio.