Women's Volleyball, Velasco: "So many emotions at Maracanazinho"

Julio Velasco returned to the scene of the crime, that Maracanazinho that saw him triumph in 1990 at the World Championships with his 'generation of phenomena'. It was the men's team, 35 years ago. “We brought home a great match – admitted the Italian coach – we held our ground when Brazil tried to come back and we were able to manage the different moments that occurred. The girls know well that what happened last year was something extraordinary and unique and that starting this summer there will be difficulties that we will have to know how to respond to. Just like what happened today in the third set, when we were left with our “heads in the box” we defended three very difficult balls and then we closed the match. Winning in this arena is always special: the memories of ’90 are indelible and playing here with this support, warm but correct, gives unique emotions. At the end of the third set there was a hellish cauldron and I think this is an incredible memory that we will carry with us forever”. Sarah Fahr echoes her : "I'm very happy with the win but in general with how we were on the court in all the sets. We started well in the first two sets while in the third we suffered a bit more against a Brazil with exceptional players even though they are not yet at full strength. We return to Italy for a bit of rest with 4 wins in the suitcase. In a few days we will return to work to prepare for Hong Kong".