Brazil’s women’s volleyball team was defeated by Germany in an intense duel for the Nations League (VNL) this Tuesday, in Ankara, Turkey. The final score of 3 sets to 2, with partials of 26-24, 28-26, 15-25, 19-25 and 16-14, ended the decisive match of the first phase of the tournament.
With the defeat, the Brazilian team lost its provisional leadership in the VNL general classification table. This result directly impacts the search for a place in the final stages and the score in the world ranking, essential for the Olympic classification and future clashes.
The fifth and decisive set presented an exciting outcome, where Germany managed to close the partial at 16 to 14. The match was decided in tight points in the tie-break, with the German team taking advantage of opponents’ mistakes in crucial moments.
The final sequence of points was marked by errors from the Brazilian attack, including a touch into the net by Julia Bergmann and an attack out of bounds by Ana Cristina, which sealed the German victory and prevented the Brazilian comeback.
The Brazilians demonstrated resilience by seeking a 12-12 draw in the final set, with a powerful attack from Ana Cristina, forcing the Germany coach to call a timeout. However, the reaction was not enough to sustain the turnaround.
Before that, Germany had maintained an initial advantage, with important blocks and precise attacks from players like Weske and Strubbe, opening a gap that Brazil tirelessly sought to reverse throughout the match.
Throughout the fifth set, the German team managed to maintain the lead on the scoreboard, with Weitzel and Alsmeier contributing crucial points. The Brazilian team, in turn, tried to reverse the situation with attacks from Ana Cristina and blocks from Diana and Julia Kudiess, but the Germans proved to be more consistent in the final stretch.
The decisive reaction in the fourth set
The fourth half marked a significant change in attitude for Brazil, which dominated the scoreboard from the beginning, closing at 25 to 19. Striker Helena stood out with ten attack points, while Ana Cristina contributed with crucial plays. The German team’s errors, especially in serving and attacking, also made it easier for Brazil to take the match to a tie-break.
Brazil secured victory in the fourth set with a decisive attack. The team kept the pressure on their opponents, who called for a technical timeout at a time when they were at a disadvantage on the scoreboard, with Helena and Julia Bergmann scoring important points and widening the gap.
Amidst the Brazilians’ solid performance, with blocks from Julia Kudiess and Diana, the German coach tried to stop the opponent’s momentum with a timeout. However, the strength of Helena and Ana Cristina in the attacks was decisive in winning the set.
Helena stood out consistently throughout the set, scoring several attack points. The Brazilian team managed to balance its actions and overcome the initial German momentum, showing power of reaction and tactical organization to recover in the match.
José Roberto Guimarães’ adjustments in the third set
The third set was a turning point for the Brazilian team, which won 25 to 15. The changes made by coach José Roberto Guimarães, including the entry of Helena, Macris and Diana since the beginning of the partial, had an immediate effect. Helena, acting as a pointer, scored six attack points, and Macris, as a setter, distributed the game well and also scored two points from the second ball. The Brazilian serve also showed significant improvement, demonstrating the technical command’s search for new strategies.
Macris’ precision on second balls, combined with Ana Cristina’s power on serve, which guaranteed a series of points, tipped the balance in the Brazilians’ favor. Germany suffered from serving and attacking errors, allowing Brazil to open up a large lead on the scoreboard.
With an ace from Diana at the beginning of the third set, Brazil signaled its intention to seek a turnaround in the match. The team, with a new formation, began to dominate the actions, with Ana Cristina and Helena scoring important points, while Germany faced difficulties in reacting to Brazilian attacks and blocks.