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World League 2005 News
Nalbert – The farewell of my dreams
 May
7, 2005 – Brazilian Volleyball legend Nalbert
Bitencourt said winning the national Superliga
title with his Brazilian club side Banespa/Mastercard
last month, “could not be better. It was the
farewell of my dreams.”
To the disappointment of many indoor Volleyball
fans in Brazil and around the world, the former
Brazilian captain has decided to try Beach
Volleyball in 2005 and in doing so has brought
the curtain down on an illustrious indoor career.
Pic: Nalbert receives during a group match at
the Olympic Games in Athens
Known for his fierce serving power and spiking
power and motivational play on and off the
court, Nalbert was a hero to many, becoming one
of the most popular Volleyball players around
the world. And having led Brazil to World League
titles in 2003 and 2004, the World Championship
title in 2002, a World Cup triumph in 2003 and
gold at the 2004 Athens Olympics, the
inspirational Nalbert has now chosen another
career path.
"I have now set a new objective for the
Olympic Games in Beijing,” Nalbert said. “I am
going to go there playing Beach Volleyball.
Adapting to my new sport will be difficult, but
I know that I have the skills. I am going to
carry out this other dream of mine, to be
Olympic champion on the beach."
Despite Nalbert’s absence, Brazil will still
start favourites for their third World League
title in as many years but it will be
interesting to see the affect losing both their
captain and vice captain (Giovane) has to this
champion side.
Following a sensational finals performance in
the Brazilian Superliga where Banespa/Mastercard
beat Telemig Celular/Minas in the fifth set of
the fifth game, Nalbert said; "God would have
thought: since he wants to go for the beach, I
am going to do everything for him right up to
the last minute, and it was like this. To decide
the final in the fifth set of the fifth game was
incredible and a great way to go out, as a
champion."
Now, the 31-year-old has a new goal but has to
overcome his first two obstacles, finding
sponsorship and a playing partner; "Already
there is someone in mind but I’m not going to
comment and create expectations, I am going to
speak with them first. And if I find it
difficult to obtain some sort of sponsorship, I
will have to stop and rethink my plans.”
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