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Brazil to
face whole new ball game
 Visakhapatnam,
India, August 12, 2005 - Brazil are preparing for a totally
different style of opponent when they face Cuba in the
second semi-final of the Men's U21 World Championship on
Saturday.
The Canaries flew through Pool B, beating Tunisia, USA,
Netherlands, Germany and Iran in compiling a perfect 5-0
record. But Brazil's head coach, Marcos Lerbach, appreciates
that the fiery and unpredictable Central Americans will be
something else.
"Cuba is a very strong team, and a different style of play
compared to the teams in our pool," said Lerbach, before
Friday's practice at the Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium.
"Cuba use strong serves and all the time make pressure in
the block.
"It is necessary to be calm and make good reception, because
if you don't you will die against a team like Cuba.
"In attack we have to use some strategy to beat the Cuban
block."
There's no doubt the star of the Brazilian show so far:
Thiago Alves. He will be a candidate for the MVP award and
has inspired the team with his attacking skill and his
mental strength.
A former basketball player, following in the large footsteps
of his father, Thiago switched to Volleyball and is a big
hit with the fans here and in Brazil.
At 1.94 metres, he is far from the tallest player on the
team, but he has a strong mind, good character and fighting
heart.
When the team needs a spark, Thiago is the man who provides
it.
"He's a very nice player, with good intelligence, and strong,"
enthuses Lerbach, who will be trying to steer the yellow
youngsters to a third gold medal in the 13th edition of this
world junior championship.
"He likes to play hard games and always stays strong in the
match."
Cuba have won only a silver medal in this event, losing the
final to Korea in 1987, but their squad here is packed with
power and flair, notably the flying Osmany Juantorena.
After losing 3-0 to Russia on the opening day, Cuba bounced
back with four consecutive straight-sets wins, including a
3-0 demolition of Korea in a match to decide second place in
Pool A on Thursday morning.
With this momentum, even the mighty Brazil could be in
trouble on Saturday. |
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