Press release

Brazil boys reach semifinals in S. American Youth Championship

Rio de Janeiro, November 9, 2012 – In contrast to their easy opening win, Brazil had to come from behind to earn a tough 3-1 (22-25, 25-23, 31-29, 27-25) victory against Venezuela on Friday in the South American Boys' Youth Championship. 

The result earned the Brazilians a spot in Saturday’s semifinals. A win there will earn them a place in next year’s U19 World Championship in Mexico. The other teams to qualify for the semifinals were Argentina, Venezuela and Chile.

Brazilian setter Fernando Kreling was not happy with his team’s performance, despite the positive result, and he credited the coaching staff with the turnaround in the match.

"We played well below what we are capable of,” Kreling stated. “I want to commend coach Percy Oncken and his assistants, who were able to make substitutions at the right time. Tomorrow, hopefully, we won’t have any unpleasant surprises. If we play the way we know, it's hard to beat us.”

Opposite Madalóz Lucas praised the attitude of the Venezuelan team and said that Brazil has to improve for the semifinal.

"The game was very difficult,” he admitted. “Venezuela's defence worked very well. Tomorrow, we have to get better and pay more attention to our serve and block."

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