VNL champions Brazil release Olympic roster

Brazil’s 2021 FIVB Volleyball Nations League winning squad will remain nearly unaltered for the Olympics after head coach Renan dal Zotto announced his roster selection for the upcoming Tokyo Games a few hours after his players lifted the trophy in the Italian Adriatic Resort of Rimini.

Renan, who was absent from the VNL, had to narrow Brazil’s 14-player squad from the VNL gold medal match against Poland to 12 for the Olympics. Middle blocker Flavio Gualberto and libero Maique Nascimento were the two players who didn’t make the cut.

“Our victory at the VNL was well-deserved,” Renan said. “It was a brilliant campaign and even though we used part of the VNL to build our team for the Olympics, it was a really important result for us. The team was strongly tested, especially in the semifinal and the gold medal match, and responded really well.”

VNL Most Valuable Player Wallace de Souza headlines Renan’s selection alongside star outside hitter Yoandy Leal, middle blocker Mauricio Souza and libero Thales Hoss, who were all part of the tournament’s Dream Team.

Brazil will also feature seven players from the roster that won gold at the Rio 2016 Games five years ago including team captain and setter Bruno Rezende, opposite Wallace, outside hitters Ricardo Lucarelli, Mauricio Borges and Douglas Souza and middle blockers Lucas Saatkamp and Mauricio Souza.

The FIVB world ranking leaders will return to Brazil and enjoy a few days off before reuniting again on Thursday in Rio de Janeiro, where they will begin the last stage of their Olympic preparation.

The reigning Olympic champions are in Pool B in Tokyo and will play Tunisia, Argentina, Russia, the United States and France.

Brazil’s Olympic Roster

· Setters – Bruno Rezende, Fernando ‘Cachopa’ Kreling

· Opposites – Wallace de Souza, Alan Souza

· Outside Hitters – Yoandy Leal, Ricardo Lucarelli, Mauricio Borges, Douglas Souza

· Middle Blockers – Lucas Saatkamp, Mauricio Souza, Isac Santos

· Libero – Thales Hoss