Venezuela eyes historic upset against Brazil in U17 volleyball semis

Venezuela's U17 national volleyball team has achieved a significant milestone, securing a place in the quarterfinals of the World Championship after a remarkable comeback victory against Bulgaria. The Venezuelan squad, in its debut appearance at this level, managed to overcome a team that had previously finished undefeated in its group and ranked as the fourth-best in the initial phase.

The dramatic win against the Bulgarian team not only advanced Venezuela to the quarterfinals but also guaranteed them a top-eight finish in the tournament. However, the team is not resting on its laurels and is now preparing for another formidable challenge: a quarterfinal match against the powerhouse Brazilian team. This encounter is scheduled for Thursday at 7:00 a.m. Venezuela time in Doha, Qatar.

This upcoming match carries a sense of revenge for the Venezuelan team, as they suffered a defeat against Brazil in January during the South American Championship for the category. Coach Marín Pérez acknowledged the difficulty of the upcoming game, stating, "We must study the game against the Brazilian team. We already know them from the South American championship and we know it will be a very tough match." Despite the challenge, Pérez expressed confidence in his players' high spirits, believing that "beautiful things can happen for Venezuela."

Pérez also detailed the pivotal moment in the match against Bulgaria, where a team meeting before the third set was crucial. Trailing two sets to none, the team rallied to win the next three sets. "It was a very satisfying moment to see them fight despite being two sets down," Pérez recalled. "We managed to get them to stick to the plan we had studied. The Bulgarians have an excellent level, but our boys realized that they do too. They believed they had a chance and achieved a great victory, a legendary triumph for our country."

The coach emphasized the importance of strategic preparation and execution, noting that their study of the Bulgarian team's weaknesses allowed them to exploit errors under pressure. Pérez added, "We are achieving the objectives one by one, step by step. The possibilities are always there, but you have to fight and believe in yourself." This victory follows Pérez's recent success in leading the same group to an undefeated win in the Pan American Cup in Guatemala just weeks prior.