Will Gustavo Endres get a chance to represent Brazil at the 2011 FIVB World League?
The 35-year old Brazilian player, Gustavo Endres has been named for Brazil’s preliminary FIVB World League squad earlier this week.
It has been three years that he was out of the volleyball court. Before that, he was an active member of Brazil’s Men’s National Volleyball Team. Representing Brazil at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games for the last time, he contributed to the overall success
of his team and got hold of the gold medal. He played at the centre position.
Lately, the team coach Bernardinho revealed the names of 25 players for the preliminary FIVB World League squad, while Gustavo happened to be one of the selected players.
The 2011 FIVB World League is scheduled to start next month (May), where 16 teams will be on board to compete for the top honour. Brazil is one of the pre-favourites of the championship. They are actually defending the title this year. Brazil has already
captured six titles in the previous editions of the tournament.
This time around, they are going to vie for their seventh World League Title. The competition will run from May 27 to July 10. Since there is more than one month left in the opening of FIVB World League, the participating countries all over the world are
busy finalising their teams.
Brazil is also going through the same phase. In the first step of the procedure, a team of 25 athletes have been selected which also include Gustavo Endres.
The squad of 25 players will further be squeezed to 12 players and Brazil will have to finalise the team before the start of 2011 FIVB World League. Gustavo is keeping his fingers crossed for a chance to play in the World League.
He expressed mixed feelings of happiness and surprise for being considered eligible for the preliminary squad. He disclosed his thoughts in an interview with a local Brazilian sports website.
He stated, “I was quite surprised with the preliminary squad, but pretty happy. I had talked to Bernardinho, but he did not say I would definitely be called up. If he wants me included, I'll be back.”
Projecting his thoughts about the final selection in the 12-person team, he said that it will be an honour for him to play for his country. He assured to give out his best performance at the World League competition.
Gustavo has done well in the past. He was part of the Brazilian team when they captured Olympic gold medals in 2004 and 2008.
Moreover, he was attached with Brazilian team which settled for gold-ware at FIVB Men’s World Championships in 2002 and 2006. This is what provides a competitive edge to Gustavo. He has brighter prospects to be added in the final squad of 2011 FIVB World
League.
If he would join the team, he would surely bring a lot of experience with him. The final list of players will be revealed in a couple of weeks.
Until then let’s wait and see if Gustavo have a better luck to get a chance.
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