José Roberto Guimarães wants to lead Brazil back to the Olympic throne
Montreux, Switzerland, May 19, 2017 – Brazil national coach José Roberto Guimarães announces his squad for the 32nd edition of the Montreux Volley Masters.
The Montreux Volley Masters is coming closer with big strides.
Unsurprisingly, Volleyball fans around the world are already looking forward to another epic edition for the oldest and most prestigious invitational tournament in international Volleyball.
So are the teams. After the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship in Japan, the Volleyball stars have returned to their home countries to prepare with their national teams for the big challenges awaiting them this season.
There is no doubt, it is going to be a crucial year for the elite of women’s Volleyball. Because after Rio 2016, the teams are already focusing on Tokyo2020.
Especially the ‘Seleção’. After the bitter disappointment of being knocked out in the quarter finals at the home Olympics, the six-time Montreux Masters champs want to be back on the throne at the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2020.
But it is not going to be an easy task – most of all since big stars like Jaqueline Carvalho, Fabiana Claudino, and Sheilla Castro announced their retirement after the out at Rio 2016. Now it is up to the aspiring youngsters to step into the breach.
Therefore, Brazilian national coach José Roberto Guimarães has to rebuild the team. But if there is one coach who knows how to build a winning squad, it’s Zé Roberto. The Brazilian already won gold at Peking 2008 and London 2012 and is one of the most successful coaches in the history of Volleyball.
For the season debut at the Montreux Volley Masters from June 6 to 11, Zé Roberto trusts in a mix of veterans like Ana Carolina da Silva, Drussyla Andressa Felix Costa (both Rexona-Sesc), Adenízia Ferreira da Silva (Savino Del Bene Volley Scandicci), Natália Zilio (Fenerbahçe Istanbul) as well as aspiring youngsters like Naiane de Almeida and Rosamaria Montibeller (both Camponesa/Minas), who have earned their spurs with a strong performance last year.
Furthermore, the 62-year-old named Roberta Ratzke (Rexona-Sesc), the middle blockers Ana Beatriz Silva Correa, also known as Bia, (Vôlei Nestlé), Mara Ferreira Leão (Camponesa/Minas), opposite spikers Tandara Alves Caixeta (Vôlei Nestlé), Edinara Brancher (São Cristovão Saúde/São Caetano), Fernanda Davis Tomé (São Cristovão Saúde/São Caetano), wing spikers Amanda Juliana Campos Francisco (Terracap/BRB/Brasília Vôlei), liberos Léia Henrique da Silva Nicolosi (Camponesa/Minas) and Suelen Fernanda Santana Pinto (Bergamo) in his squad for the 32nd edition of the Montreux Volley Masters.
Unfortunately, star spiker Gabriela Guimaraes, who led the Brazilian record champs Rexona-Sesc to silver at the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship, won’t feature in Montreux due to a patellar tendon problem.
Nevertheless, Brazil national coach Zé Roberto has already set sight on the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2020. ‘We usually call the players for each tournament because this post-Olympic year is to check and give some players a chance to show their skills, their evolution. This year we will start with Montreux.’
CBV Volleyball director Radames Lattari is convinced national coach Zé Roberto can bring the Brazilians back on the throne. ‘For the Brazilian Volleyball Federation, it is a great pride to start another Olympic cycle with Zé Roberto as the women’s team coach.’
‘It is always difficult to start another cycle, but Zé Roberto has plenty of experience to lead the team at this moment,’ Lattari said.
Before the Montreux Volley Masters, the Brazilian fans will have the opportunity to see their heroines up close, as the team will play two friendly matches against the Dominican Republic in the city of Manaus on May 30 at 20:30 local time at the Amadeu Teixeira Arena, and in Belem on June 1 at 21:30 at the Guilherme Paraense Arena.
The Brazilians start against the aspiring team from Poland into the Montreux Volley Masters at 18.45 local time on June 6. A very promising matchup for Volleyball fans around the world.