You don’t just get volleyball at Maracanzinho…you get a mighty entertainment package. Strobe, colour-changing, pulsating lights when the teams come on; background music to reflect the volleyball shots from teams – high spirited and funky (good shot); dancers and capoeira exponents during time outs and end of sets..and it goes on….today is Men’s quarter finals day and I have 3 matches to watch.

Men’s USA VS POLAND – what can we say…there was huge crowd support for the Yanks who drowned out those chanting ‘Polska, Polska, Polska’. But on the day, the Yanks blocked and spiked much better and deserved to win. 

Men’s IRAN VS ITALY – the teams were very well matched and it was a nail biter of a first set that resulted in 31/29 win to Italy after a 4th set point! While Iran had some standout shot moments, Italy went on to win the next 2 sets. A substantial set of Iranian supporters for their team, and were allowed to be political.

Ivan Zaytsev, 27 years old, no 9 was my fave spiker from Team Italy, who also managed a mean set, oh and a fab reception of the other team’s serve…great all rounder but his spikes were awesomely powerful and expertly placed. He serves and spikes at about 120 km/h. Russian born, of Olympic stock (his Dad was captain of Russia’s national volleyball squad in the 70’s and a gold medallist; his mum a swimmer). He’s been playing with Italy since 2008.

Men’s BRAZIL VS ARGENTINA – as you can imagine, the stadium was fully booked out with a pumped and dressed up crowd. Ear splitting support for each team as they won their respective points. Argentinian supporters must have been hoarse after their team won a set, but Brazil played magnificently and won 3:1.