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After an Olympic deception, Nalbert returns to beach volleyball

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-09-26 14:03

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Nalbert, the former member of the Brazilian men's national indoor volleyball team, said Thursday he will be returning to play in the Brazilian Circuit of beach volleyball.

The decision comes after the player was cut from the national team during the final stage of the World League and consequently has left off the roster to travel to Beijing in the 2008 Olympic Games.

Due to his frustration, he has decided to come back to the sands and compete once again.

Nalbert plans on playing in the rest of this year's Brazilian Circuit, a warm up for the athlete of the 2009 season. Apart from looking for success in the sands, his decision to move from the hardwood floor to the beach was based on his family.

"I want to be as close to my family as possible. Since there aren't any great professional volleyball teams in Rio de Janeiro, my best option is the beach," explained Nalbert.

The most likely player to become Nalbert's new teammate is Franco. Franco is currently the teammate of Pedro Cunha, of which Nalbert has been training with for the last months on the beaches of Rio de Janeiro.

However, Nalbert said "I have had many conversations with many players. I am still studying the names."

Nalbert's first attempt at beach volleyball ended in frustration. Along side Guto, and later Luizao during the 2005 and 2006 season's, Nalbert was only able to accumulate two second place finishes in the Brazilian Circuit and one third place finish.

He left the sands to return to the hardwood floor in an attempt to play in the 2007 Pan American Games. However, his attempt ended with an injury and a delicate surgery in his right shoulder.

He was then invited to play on the national team for the 2008 World League, but ended up being cut. He now hopes to find success on the sands of Brazil.