Brazil keep top three stronghold

Lausanne, Switzerland, May 20, 2016 – Twelve teams will compete in FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix Group 1 hoping to reach the Finals in Bangkok, Thailand from July 6 to 10. As the competition draws near we turn the spotlight on Brazil in the 10th of a 12-part series.

Brazil – Keeping their top three stronghold

World No.3 Brazil have maintained their stronghold on the World Grand Prix podium for the last eight years. The South Americans have been a consistent podium finisher between the period of 2008 to 2015 with four gold medals, three silver medals and a bronze in their last appearance. Prior to this, they won six golds, two silvers and three bronze medal finishes since the World Grand Prix started in 1993.

Brazil’s reputation can be easily summed up as the most successful squad at the World Grand Prix with a total of 17 medals. In terms of participation, Brazil come third behind China and Japan, with the most appearances in the premier annual women’s tournament. In their 23rd appearance, Brazil hope to stay in the top three or add another gold or silver medal to their World Grand Prix silverware.

After they captured back-to-back crowns in 2013 and 2014, their performance dipped in 2015 as they missed the services of key players such as middle blockers Thaisa Menezes and Fabiana Claudino, and opposite Sheilla Castro, who all have been instrumental in their reign in the last eight years. Sheilla and Fabiana took a break after they had been on the road playing for the national team. Thaisa, who has been a mainstay since 2008, was sidelined for five months to recuperate from her knee …

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