Brazil end VNL warm-up on high note

Brazil ended their preparations for the 2021 FIVB Volleyball Nations League in great fashion as the world ranking leaders defeated fellow South Americans Venezuela 3-0 (25-15, 25-15, 25-19) in the third and final friendly match between the two teams at the Olympic Park, in Rio de Janeiro, on Sunday.

The three-match series was part of both teams' preparations for the international season. The hosts had also won the first meeting 3-0 (25-19, 25-17, 25-19) on Friday before prevailing in the second, on Saturday, also in three sets (25-15, 25-18, 25-18).

Outside hitter Yoandy Leal received the best player of the match award on Sunday. The 32-year-old Cuban-born player acknowledged the fact that there was still room for improvement for the team, but was pleased to see some match action with his teammates for the first time since 2019.

“These matches will certainly help us start the VNL in better condition,” he said. “It was great that we were able to rotate players and give everyone some playing time. There are still some areas in which we can improve, especially when it comes to chemistry and offensive coordination, but we’ll get there.”

Team captain and setter Bruno Rezende, a three-time Olympic medallist, was satisfied with the last stage of the team’s preparations ahead of their VNL debut, on Friday, against Argentina.

“Venezuela are a solid team and they serve really hard,” he analysed. “It was important for us to work against a team like that. It was good, but we still have a long way to go in terms of team chemistry and communicating better. This third match was the first time we had Leal and (Ricardo) Lucarelli together, so we have to be patient. The more we play, the better we’ll get. And we’ll continue working hard to be in the best possible condition for our VNL debut.”

Brazil flew to Italy a few hours after Sunday’s match and will start the VNL with a 16-player roster that features as many as six Rio 2016 Olympic champions including Bruno, opposite Wallace de Souza, outside hitters Ricardo Lucarelli, Mauricio Borges and Douglas Souza and middle blocker Mauricio Souza.

Middle blocker Lucas Saatkamp, whose daughter will be born in the next few days, and outside hitter Joao Rafael Ferreira will replace Matheus Bispo and Gabriel Vaccari after the third week. Carlos Schwanke will be in charge of the team in Rimini during the tournament, replacing head coach Renan Dal Zotto.

Venezuela, who will not appear in this year’s VNL but who are qualified for the Tokyo Olympics, return to Santo Domingo, in the Dominican Republic, where the team are in training. They are expected to spend some time in Cuba, Belgium, Spain, Estonia, Greece and Turkey before making the trip to Japan.

Brazil’s 2021 VNL Roster

Setters: Bruno Rezende, Fernando ‘Cachopa’ Kreling

Opposites: Wallace de Souza, Alan Souza, Felipe Roque

Outside Hitters: Ricardo Lucarelli, Yoandy Leal, Mauricio Borges, Douglas Souza, Gabriel Vaccari

Middle Blockers: Mauricio Souza, Flavio Gualberto, Isac Santos, Matheus Bispo

Liberos: Thales Hoss, Maique Nascimento

Quick links:
FIVB Volleyball Nations League
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