Giba and Gustavo prepare to change from
supporters to players
 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, June 9, 2005 - For Giba
and Gustavo, the beginning of the 2005 World
League has been very unusual. Instead of being
on court for Brazil during the opening two
rounds against Venezuela and Portugal the two
Brazilian superstars have been watching from the
sidelines. Giba has been recuperating from a
virus, while Gustavo earned a rest following a
tough schedule in the Italian Championship.
It has been little more than a week, that the
two key players have been working out at the
Brazilian Volleyball Development Center in Rio
de Janeiro and now both are eager to return to
the national team and contribute towards seeing
the Olympic champions claim their fifth World
League title and their third in as many years.
Pic:
Giba with his wife and 10-month-old son
“This period of rest was important, but I had no
idea of the sensation of watching the games on
television,” Gustavo said. “I felt like I was
beside them all the time, fighting for each
point to the extent that I saw the first game
against Venezuela alone. I was very nervous and,
at times, it was necessary to turn the tv off.”
Although he is absent, the middle blocker is
pleased to see his brother Murilo taking giant
strides in the team of Bernardinho. “I’m very
proud to see Murilo in the block, doing so well,”
Gustavo added. We do not speak before matches,
but whenever we are together we talk about our
careers and about what is happening with each
other.”
Giba also admits that it has not been easy to
stay on the outside of the team having been such
an important member in recent years. “The
decision not to travel was to guarantee a better
recuperation,” he said. “I lost a little bit of
muscle, but I’m gradually recuperating and
finding my rhythm again.
“As for the team, my feelings are the same as
Gustavo. I moved with them in the victories and,
in the loss (to Portugal), I spent the entire
day thinking of what had gone wrong,” explains
Giba, who has the company of his wife Cristina
Pirv and son Nicoll of 10 months in Rio de
Janiero.
Both Giba and Gustavo are expected to return to
the Brazilian line up for Brazil’s home matches
against Portugal on June 18 and 19. |
Competition Formula