Tokyo (Japan)

In the first commentary I posted for 2007 Men’s World Cup, I promised you that I would have written more about Ricardo missing.

The first unanswered question was:

Brazil, the dominator of the Volleyball world since 2002, has to face a great loss. The Brazilian setter, after an harsh argument with Bernardinho was excluded from the team. Will South American squad be able to overcome the significant absence of their setter?


The obvious answer is yes.

The Brazilians overcame fantastically the former captain’s absence, keeping on playing an extraordinary Volleyball distinguished by their typical amazing enthusiasm.
Today overwhelming the Russian team, they could very likely win the 2007 World Cup. Brazilians performed once more exciting, fast and funny Volleyball.
They still are, by far, the strongest team in the World.



To better understand what happen within the South Americans team and how they are managing the situation, take a look at the interview with Gustavo posted today (CLIC HERE).

Afterward I was still interested to hear the Bernardinho’s opinion, so I asked him four questions.

Obviously, the first was concerning Ricardo.

“What hurts me more is that this story seems a fight between me and Ricardo and everybody is waiting for the winner. Almost all the Brazilian media prefer describing this situation as a duel between Ricardo and me. They consider a such battle more interesting for the audience than telling the truth.
I think that I have failed as group leader because of the lost of Ricardo. I still would have liked very much working with him but it wasn’t possible. Eight years ago, when nobody were trusting in him, I betted on Ricardo and now I feel this as a personal defeat. "

How can a winning team last?

"I don’t know exactly but I hope seven or eight years. Out team was born long time ago and we have to replace many important players like Nalbert or Giovane. We built a strong team sharing the same values, manners and starting every time from scratch.
Everybody has to respect the moral principles and no one can consider himself more important than the team. After the 2004 Olympic games gold medal it was really tough to start again, but we succeeded.
After the first very important victories, the biggest problem was to overcome the changing environment around the team.
If the players change their attitude loosing the firm discipline the winning squads suddenly disappear."

Nothing new in these Bernardinho’s words, but do try to maintain, as they are doing, the same approach after 5 years of winning streak!

Your son become the second setter of Brazilian National team after Ricardo left.

"I feel a weird emotion, a mix of joy and suffering. It would have been easier not to call him, avoiding any nepotism (favoritism shown to relatives) charge.
Renan Dal Zotto, a very close friend of mine, now coaching in Italy, suggested me to undress the father role off and to act only as a coach. But ultimately, the most important thing is the team approval: they wouldn’t have ever accepted Bruno, my son, if he hadn’t deserved."

Will you coach forever?

"My little daughter asked me the same question few days ago during the train travel coming to Tokyo. My wife answered first: “yes, your father will coach forever!”
I think that I’ll quit with National team after the 2008 Olympic Games but I’ll keep coaching a club as long as possible."


I have nothing else to add.
It’s better to watch the Brazilians playing, supporting each other, hugging, celebrating each point to understand the authentic meaning of team spirit.

My warmest congratulations to you all. Once more you have been the best.

Bye bye andrea zorzi