HYDERABAD: They come from the land of the legendary footballers such as Pele, Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho and others. The Brazilians are synonymous with their unique football charm. But, the volleyball team in Vizag is on a different mission. They aim to captivate the audience with their vintage displays and in the process enhance their growing reputation in the world of volleyball.

For the record, they have been virtually winning every major title at stake in the international circuit. May be, in terms of popularity and recognition, they may lag behind the soccer superstars. But that doesn't deter them at all. For they have challenges to face and they are ready to face them.

If the first encounter against Tunisia was any indication, the Vizag edition of World Cup may well be all about the Lucas Saaltkamp touch. Like the famous Midas touch! The volleyball lovers of the Steel City cannot ask for a better treat than the one being dished out by the Brazilians.

What is it like for the head coach Marcos Lerbach to handle the job? "I am enjoying it. The boys are determined to prove a point or two. The whole effort is to take the sport to new levels back home," he explains.

Leave apart the finer aspects of the game, what is indisputable is that the stars from the land of Samba Dance are in the mood to script another glorious chapter in sports. But it is not as if they are naïve about the challenge from other outfits like Russia and Netherlands. "At this level, it is not that easy to predict a winner. Each match will be a difficult and totally different proposition," says Marcos, apparently keen to downplay the expectations.

Back home in Brazil, sports is all about football. Then how does Marcos feel about his assignment? "There is no disputing football is the No.1 sport. But it is also a fact that volleyball is fast emerging as the next popular one. He knows he has a task on hand - to mould his talented bunch with some of the ebullient spikers like Brendle Thiago, Igor Braz and Thiago Sens to name a few, being in the mood to take on the best and be on top in the game.

Well, if the Brazilians move into top gear, there can be no better sight than this team on a roll sparking on Samba dances in the stands!

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