Brazil add five Olympic champions to VNL roster

Brazil’s men’s national team continues to take shape ahead of the 2021 FIVB Volleyball Nations League with ten players added to the roster, including five gold medallists from the Rio 2016 Olympics. The squad is currently training at the federation’s training facility in Saquarema

Setter and team captain Bruno Rezende, middle blockers Lucas Saatkamp and Mauricio Souza and outside hitters Douglas Souza and Mauricio Borges will all report for training on Sunday. They were all part of the EMS Taubate Funvic team that won the Brazilian Superliga title last Friday.

Three of their club teammates were also called up in opposite Felipe Roque and libero Thales Hoss, who were both part of Brazil’s team during the 2019 FIVB Volleyball World Cup, and outside hitter Joao Rafael Ferreira. Fiat Minas, who were Taubate’s opponent in the Superliga final, had two players selected in libero Maique Nascimento and middle blocker Matheus Bispo.

Brazil started their preparations for the VNL on April 5 and the roster currently includes 18 players who are training in Saquarema. More players, including outside hitters Ricardo Lucarelli and Yoandy Leal, will be added to the team when they end their club season.

Current Brazil roster:

Setters: Bruno Rezende, Fernando ‘Cachopa’ Kreling, Eduardo Carisio

Opposites: Wallace de Souza, Alan Souza, Felipe Roque

Outside hitters: Mauricio Borges, Douglas Souza, Rodrigo ‘Rodriguinho’ Leao, Gabriel Vaccari, Joao Rafael Ferreira

Middle blockers: Lucas Saatkamp, Mauricio Souza, Isac Santos, Flavio Gualberto, Matheus Bispo

Liberos: Thales Hoss, Maique Nascimento