Brazilian Cup
- Jan. 15 – 27
- Round of 8
- Semifinals
Sada/Cruzeiro is still Brazil’s best volleyball team, and it made sure to remember fans of this fact this weekend, by beating Sesi/SP in a 3-2 (25/23, 20/25, 25/17, 29/31 e 15/9) war and taking home its third ever Brazilian Cup title. It was the fifth time both teams went head to head in a national title game: Cruzeiro beat Sesi twice in Superliga Finals (2014 and 2015) and now twice in Brazilian Cup finals (2014 and 2018) and Sesi beat Cruzzeiro once, to get its sole Superliga title in 2011.
The first set of the game was played back and forth, and until its end, no team opened up a lead of over two points, as Robertlandy Simon closed it an ace 25-23. The second set saw Sesi being pushed by its home-crowd fans, and opening up a lead of as much as six points, leaving no chance for Cruzeiro as it closed the set at 25-20. The opposite happened on the game’s third set, as Cruzeiro went up to a 6-2 lead right from the beginning, and opened up as much as 8 points in its way to closing it 25-17.
The fourth set was a nail-bitter, as Sesi, needing the victory to take the game to the tie-break, went all out, as both teams played it side by side until Sesi closed it on in an astounding 31-29 performance, saving a Cruzeiro‘s match point along the way. All that effort took its toll on Sesi, as Cruzeiro opened up the tie break set at 6-1. Sesi tried to react, even going so far as saving three match points, but the initial lead was just too much, as Cruzeiro closed the game at 15-9.
Here are the post match reactions (Courtesy of Globo.com):
This title feels better than most. A lot of people did not believe in our team, as we started our season with oscillating performances. However, whenever we reach a final, we are a very united team. – Cruzeiro‘s Cuban superstar Yoandy Leal
This was a great game, worthy of a finals match. I am very proud of my team. We were extremely brave to play against a winning team like Cruzeiro. I am sure we are on the right track. At the tie break, we lack clarity. It was the decisive set, and a team used to play finals knows that on 5th sets, you have to play as equals, or else there is no way to catching up with your opponent. However, my team was great. – Sesi‘s captain William Arjona
Now, both teams will keep their focus solely on Superliga, as Cruzeiro will try to win its fourth consecutive title, while Sesi will try to end its 7 years national title drought.
Social Media Roundup
Vamos relembrar este momento. Sada Cruzeiro, Tricampeão da Copa Brasil! pic.twitter.com/mrqQyYd1Lr
— Sada Cruzeiro (@sadacruzeiro) January 28, 2018
Bom dia pra você que acordou TRICAMPEÃO DA COPA BRASIL!
?⚪???? pic.twitter.com/wh0S5FeRGu— Sada Cruzeiro (@sadacruzeiro) January 28, 2018
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