We look back at Brazil’s (mis)fortunes duirng the 2016 Summer games for an answer to the question that’s on everybody’s lips: Is there a World Cup rebound in Brazil’s future?
Kick the ball, hit the ball. Brazil’s medal count for the Summer Games it is hosting in Rio de Janeiro stood at three at the end of the Summer Games first week: one Bronze, one Silver and a single Gold. To be sure, Brazil is not a powerhouse with Olympic competition.
Most Brazilians would choose the passion of World Cup play over the Olympics every time, but the collapse of its national ream in international competition has been both dismal and predictable in recent years.
So, if there’s one Brazilian squad facing more pressure than any other, it’s the Brazilian men’s soccer team.
Following a disappointing fourth place finish as the hosting county for the World Cup in 2014, hopes are high for a Rio rebound this time around. But it didn’t go well early on: Brazil’s soccer team was booed on the field after a disappointing Olympic debut. So, it’s fair to ask: Is there a World Cup rebound in Brazil’s future?
Maybe, because a coaching change has brought a new philosophy to the Brazilian squad, and early-round results have been encouraging. But there’s a pretty good chance that another epic futebol fail could push greater media attention to volleyball, because Brazil’s superiority in beach volleyball during the Summer Games is well-established.
Since its 1996 debut as an Olympic sport, Brazil has never failed to make the podium in beach volleyball Could volleyball save the day for a country that’s eager for the title for “World’s Best’?
Maybe, but not likely. Brazil is the only country to win five World Cup titles, and this year’s team is among the favorites to make it to the final round for an incredible sixth World Cup win.
So, Is there a World Cup rebound in Brazil’s future? We’ll find out soon, when World Cup tourney kicks off in Russia on June 14th.
