Lausanne, Switzerland, May 19, 2018 – Brazil’s men set their marker high for the start of the Volleyball Nations League with a double victory over China in their final warm-up matches.
Renan Dal Zotto’s team began with a 3-1 (25-18, 21-25, 25-20, 25-21) win on Tuesday and followed up with a 3-0 (25-14, 25-14, 25-15) victory on Thursday.
In between the two fixtures he announced his 21-man squad that will compete in the inaugural Volleyball Nations League.
“The make-up of the 21 was made on the basis of rigorous statistical criteria, future potential, and experience. The Volleyball Nations League is a long competition and we need them all,” Dal Zotto said.
“The two friendlies give us the chance to see the players in action and help them return to competition. We had players making their Brazil debut and one of them, Leozinho, played a big part of the match and played well.
“This mix of younger and experienced players is something I really like and has a lot of potential.”
Brazil start their Volleyball Nations League campaign in Kraljevo, Serbia where they take on the host nation, Italy and Germany.
They return home to Goiania for week two when they host Korea, Japan and the USA and then in week three they play in Ufa, Russia against Iran, Russia and China.
In week four they have an early taste of the Italy-Bulgaria 2018 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship when they face Bulgaria, France and Canada in one of the Bulgarian host cities, Varna.
Week five takes them to Melbourne where they come up against Australia, Argentina and Poland.
Brazil Volleyball Nations League squad
Bruno
William
Thiaguinho
Wallace
Evandro
Alan
Mauricio Souza
Lucao
Otavio
Eder
Isac
Lipe
Mauricio Borges
Douglas Souza
Lucas Loh
Rodriguinho
Leo
Victor Cardoso
Murilo
Tiago Brendle
Thales