1) Brazil was the winner of the 2014 South American Girl's Youth Championship in Tarapoto, Peru.
Top 3 teams are qualified for the 2015 World Championship.
Standings
1. Brazil
2. Argentina
3. Peru
4. Colombia
5. Chile
6. Uruguay
All-star team
OHs: Adriana Durán (Colombia) and Anahí Tosi (Argentina)
MBs: Candelaria Herrera (Argentina) and María Paula Caraballo (Colombia)
Opp: Katherine Regalado (Peru)
S: Amanda Sehn (Brazil)
L: Valentina González (Argentina)
MVP: Beatriz Carvalho (Brazil)
The Coliseo Bicentenario de Morales was jumping. Aroud 4,500 fans attended. Impressive figure for an aged championship.
2) Fabi's decision on retirement took me by surprise. On no account I was expecting that.
It's something to worry about. Fabi, Fabiana and Sheilla were the most regular players from 2005 to 2013, when Brazil played all finals in all FIVB events and the Olympics. They've played right along a hell of a consistent volleyball. It reminds me the 2013 World Grand Prix, how Brazil was struggling for everything against every single opponent until week 2 and how Fabi has made it easier when she took the court in week 3 and Brazil didn't drop a set from that on.
Camila Brait is good at passing and dig, but Fabi is out of her league yet. I hope she gets better for the Olympics!
3) Zé Roberto and Bernardinho took part in a soccer series 'Encontros Mundiais' released by Espn few days before the World Cup.
Zé was talking with a famous goalkeeper in Brazil Rogério Ceni. He's the top goalkeeper scorer in history.
http://espn.uol.com.br/video/4…o-brasil-ao-japao-parte-1
http://espn.uol.com.br/video/4…o-brasil-ao-japao-parte-2
An interesting fact happened when Rogério Ceni was setting out Brazil as the big favourite to win the World Cup: 'Don't you think playing on home turf makes things harder?' Zé asked. 'No' Rogério answered.
After a while, Zé added 'I, for one, do not like playing big competitions at home. I prefer away'.
The result we all know: Brazil had the worst score ever in an official match during the World Cup in Brazil and fail.
So I was researching into the subject trying to find out when was the last time a volleyball squad had the pleasure to celebrate a title in a big competition (Olympic Games or World Championship) in front of their fans.
It was long time ago, about 30 years, in Los Angeles. In case Italy and Poland fail, it will make 32 years in Rio de Janeiro. It seems playing host is a thing that can really put you through.
Rio 2016 is a huge challenge. Only Cuba won 3 gold medals in a row and there's also this home thing. It sounds like playing against all odds.
Another interesting part: 'I know many good players until the 20th point, only few till the 25th'.
Yes, we know.