The 33rd edition of the Montreux Volley Masters is without doubt a very crucial one for the 7 time champs from Brazil, who are ranked number two in the all-time record of the most prestigious invitational tournament in women’s Volleyball. After claiming the crown last year, José Roberto Guimarães’s squad want to use the most prestigious invitational tournament in women’s Volleyball as a final test before the big highlight of the year, the FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship taking place in Japan from September 29 to October 20.
The reason being that the Volleyball giants breathe vengeance. Having missed out on the opportunity to claim gold at the 2014 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship in Italy and the disappointing defeat in the quarterfinals of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games on home-soil, Brazil want to reclaim the throne of international women’s Volleyball and finally scoop their first-ever FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship title.
And the “Seleção” - how the team are known amongst their fans - have got what it takes to reclaim the crown. José Roberto Guimarães’s side proved last year that they are title contenders despite the retirement of major stars Fabiana Claudino and Sheilla Castro after their elimination from Rio 2016. The Brazilians set a record of 12 title victories in the FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix as well as a record with their 7th Montreux Volley Masters title.
Rising stars like Natalia Pereira and Ana Carolina da Silva (Carol) have become the cornerstone of the squad over the last few years. On the other hand, the Volleyball giants can count on aspiring youngsters Rosamaria Montibeller and Naiane Rios, who are poised to follow in the footsteps of their idols and lead Brazil back to glory.
On the other hand, Brazilian fans hope that two-time Olympic champ and living Volleyball legend Thaisa Daher will make her comeback in the Brazilian national team after having been out for over a year due to injury.
Brazil are without doubt one of the biggest contenders for the 2018 Montreux Volley Masters and the FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship crown. The future will show if the “Seleção” can live up to the high expectations of their fans.