Brazil’s men’s national volleyball team failed to win a single set in its final friendly against France.
The match drew attention in Brazil’s search market, but the actual game was held in Paris, France.
The loss ahead of the South American Championship does not immediately mean Olympic elimination, but the first battle for a berth now begins.
3-Line Summary
1. Brazil lost 0-3 to France in Paris.
2. The South American Championship winner qualifies directly for the LA Olympics.
3. Results will matter starting with the Chile match on September 15.
A Match That Ended 27-25, 25-21, 25-16 in Paris
Brazil’s national team lost to France by a set score of 0-3 in a friendly held on September 4 at Adidas Arena in Paris, France. The set-by-set scores, from Brazil’s perspective, were 25-27, 21-25, 16-25. The first set was tied at 25-25, but after Lucarelli’s service error, Matus Henno finished the play and France took the set.
Early in the second set, Brazil led 5-2 through Darlan’s service ace and straight-line attack. France tied the score at 6-6 and then regained control. In the 20-point range, Henno created separation, and Simone Manya’s attack completed the set at 25-21. Unlike the closely contested first two sets, France pulled away 9-3 in the final set.
France built momentum through points from Stéphen Boyer, Trévor Clevenot, and Manya. Brazil, led by Arthur Bento and Bryan, closed the gap to 12-16, but France widened the margin again afterward. As much as the result was a 0-3 loss, what remained was the widening point gap as the sets progressed.
The starting lineup included setter Fernando Cachopa, opposite spiker Darlan, wing spikers Lucarelli and Adriano, middle blockers Matheus Pinta and Flávio, and libero Maique. Cachopa is the setter who distributes the ball to the attackers, while libero Maique is a specialist defensive player responsible for defense and reception. During the match, setter Matheus Brasília, wing spikers Honorato and Arthur Bento, middle blocker Judson, and opposite Bryan were also brought in.
Three Consecutive Losses After the Victory over Japan
This loss was Brazil’s third consecutive defeat and marked the end of its friendly schedule before the South American Championship. Brazil first defeated Japan 3-1 in a friendly held in Tokyo, Japan. It then beat Germany 3-0 at the FIVAP Cup, a friendly tournament held in Italy.
However, Brazil lost 1-3 to Italy and Cuba, respectively, at the FIVAP Cup. The match against Cuba was held in Messina, Italy, and although Brazil showed good momentum early in both losses, it was unable to see the matches through to the end. Including the match against France, Brazil has effectively played five preparation matches ahead of the South American Championship.
The match against France was a friendly, not an official South American Championship match with a berth at stake. Therefore, this one loss did not determine whether Brazil would qualify for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Still, it is clear that Brazil enters the continental tournament immediately after failing to end its losing streak in friendly matches.
Brazil will now return home and make its final preparations at Maracanãzinho in Rio de Janeiro. Friendly-match results are not added to the South American Championship standings, but in the actual tournament, the result needed above all else is victory, rather than set scores and match management.
The South American Championship Begins with the Chile Match on September 15
The South American Championship is scheduled to take place in Rio de Janeiro from September 15 through 20. Brazil will face Chile, Bolivia, Colombia, Venezuela, and Argentina. Brazil’s first match is the Chile match on September 15, followed by Bolivia on the 16th, Colombia on the 17th, and Venezuela on the 19th. The schedule concludes with the Argentina match on September 20.
The tournament winner earns a berth in the Los Angeles Olympics. For Brazil, the fastest path means finishing atop the South American Championship. That is also why the loss to France is disappointing. Brazil was unable to regain its winning feel in its final competitive match before the South American Championship, and must now respond with tournament results.
Even if Brazil does not win the South American Championship, its opportunities do not immediately disappear. According to reports, the second opportunity is the World Championship held in Poland from September 10 through 26, 2027. The top three teams among those that have not already earned berths will receive Olympic tickets.
The final opportunity is the International Volleyball Federation’s FIVB ranking. The remaining qualifying teams are scheduled to be determined by the rankings as of June 18, 2028. However, this is a different route from winning the South American Championship. For now, the only confirmed facts are France’s 0-3 victory and the South American Championship’s direct-qualification format.
Neither Brazil’s Olympic qualification nor its South American Championship victory has been confirmed. The 27-25, 25-21, and 25-16 scores from the match against France are scores from the preparation process. The numbers that will immediately carry greater significance for Brazilian men’s volleyball will be the wins and losses in the South American Championship beginning September 15.
References
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