Brazil struggles, beats Ukraine in a tie-break and remains alive in pre-Olympic volleyball

Despite Germany’s help, Renan Dal Zotto’s men play badly and still have a complicated mission to secure Paris-2024

A Brazilian men’s volleyball team he’s back fighting for a place in Paris 2024 Olympic Games after a lot of help from his tormentor on Tuesday. One day, after being overtaken by the Germans and finding themselves in a delicate situation, i Renan Dal Zotto entered the court Maracanazinho aware of their rivals’ victory over the favorite Italy, they played their role with a tough comeback 3 to 2 for what concern Ukrainepartial 36/38, 25/20, 21/25, 25/18 and 15/11once again depending on their strength.

The situation, however, is not calm because Brazil needs to win all the matches, adding three points to aspire to one of the two places in group A, scoring 3-0 or 3-1. Ahead, with 12 points, the yellow-greens are still fourth, with 7, but they face Cuba on Friday and Italy on Sunday, managing to overtake the candidates in the ranking. Between one match and another he faces Iran again, who are behind in the fight for places.

Darlan entered the second set to be, once again, Brazil’s highlight. After scoring 23 points in the win against the Czech Republic, the 21-year-old was once again the team’s top scorer, again with 23 accurate balls.

Less than 24 hours after leaving the Maracanãzinho dejected by the 3-1 defeat against Germany, the Brazilian team entered the field with renewed spirit after the Germans’ unexpected victory against favorites Italy. The result meant that Renan Dal Zotto’s team were once again solely dependent on him in their quest for an Olympic place.

Bets failed from the start against Germany, Darlan and Honorato lose their places in favor of Alan and Adriano, then starters. Renan also focused on Bruninho, Thales, Lucão, Flávio and Lucarelli, players already on the pitch since the start of the Pre-Olympics.

Scoring just 10 points against Germany, Lucarelli started more connected against the Ukrainians, scoring three of Brazil’s first five points. The block was also well placed, helping maintain a three-point lead. All that was needed was to adapt the service better. After the third error in this regard, the Ukrainians finished with 15 to 14.

In a set in which he opened with five points, an error from Alan forced Dal Zotto to ask for time after the tie at 18-18, but the break paid off, with a Ukrainian service error and a block from Lucão following. Brazil regains partial control. The opponent equalizes again, at 21-21, but with a precise attack and a 5th block, a new yellow-green advantage, at 23-21.

The partial, which seemed to be underway, turned into desperation, with the Ukrainians overturning after saving four set points. Brazil recovered, but nothing was closed. The longest set of the Pre-Olympic ended with 38 to 36 for the Europeans after a receiving error.

Brazil suffers from the blow of not being able to close and sees Ukraine start with 4-1 in the second set. Darlan has taken over from his brother Alan to try and improve the attacking department. With 7-3 Dal Zotto loses patience and takes a more decisive timeout. “Serving sequence, serving sequence,” he accused. The team doesn’t seem to hear it and sends three in a row into the net.

With consecutive points from Darlan, strong in serving and attacking, Brazil recovered from a bad start by going 13-13 after falling behind by four points. The turning point came with two blocks from Flávio and another perfect serve from the number 28. Inviting the fans, Darlan brought the team back to the final after a sequence of six points. The 21-year-old’s liveliness relaunched the team, which adapted on the pitch and looked for parity at 25-20.

As in the second set, Brazil did not start well in the third set either. After 4-4, they took three points followed by stupid errors from Darlan and Honorato: they wasted the attack. After being almost completely behind, the team looks for a draw with two points followed by Lucão, in attack and then with a strong serve: 19 to 19. There is not even time to celebrate and the opponents already open 23 to 19 and they close with 25 to 21 with an ace.

At the risk of saying goodbye to the Olympic dream, Brazil reached the fourth set without being able to lose. Due to a refereeing error, with the ball hitting Honorato’s head after the Brazilian had been blocked, the team took a 14-11 lead, leaving the Ukrainians angry. Tupchii received a yellow card and then a red card for provoking the fans, giving away a free point. The atmosphere on the pitch became warm. Without losing concentration, Brazil equalized again, after having blocked, with 25 to 18. Darlan already had 18 points in the match.

In the tie-break, a ball from Lucão on the line puts the team ahead 5-3, the lead reaches 7-4 with the 31st Ukrainian service error. Darlan reaches 22 points and Brazil also earns a point for an error in the opponent’s rotation taking it to 10-6, with Lucarelli’s powerful serve what would have been 13-9 turns into 12-10 due to a pass on the line and a challenge I need for Europeans.

Darlan left Brazil one point away from victory with his 23rd point of the game. Then he served hard and made the reception difficult. The ball returned and Flávio completed the difficult and important victory.

Source: Terra

Rose

Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.