Praia Clube has concluded its first half of the Superliga Masculina on a high note by defeating Neurologia Ativa 3 sets to 0, with scores of 25/23, 25/20, and 25/15.
The match took place on December 22, 2024, at the Ginásio do Uberlândia Tênis Clube, where the atmosphere was electric as fans cheered on their local team. With this victory, Praia Clube secured fourth place, finishing the first half of the season with 22 points, just two points behind Vôlei Renata from Campinas who holds the third position.
This win is particularly significant for Praia Clube, who aimed to position themselves for the upcoming Copa Brasil, which is set to take place early next year. Lucas Lóh shined during the match, not only contributing heavily to the score but also receiving the coveted Troféu Viva Vôlei for best player on the court. Franco, another standout player for Praia, scored 12 points, providing powerful offensive support throughout the game.
Despite the positive outcome for Praia, Neurologia Ativa continues to struggle, sitting at the bottom of the leaderboard with no wins and only two points accumulated throughout the season. The team has faced multiple challenges, including player controversies and financial issues, leading to significant pressure as they try to turn their luck around. Coach Pedro Moska's recent return after being dismissed shows the turmoil within the team, as he emphasized the need for dignity to perform well.
During the first set, both teams displayed intense competition, trading points closely throughout. Neurologia Ativa even took the lead at one point, led by Renan Purificação. But Praia's experience shone through when it mattered most; they managed to rally and win the set 25-23. The second set mirrored this competitiveness initially, but Praia gradually pulled away to secure the set 25-20.
By the third set, it became clear Neurologia Ativa was struggling to maintain their form. Praia Clube dominated from start to finish, pushing the score to 6-2 at first and leading effortlessly to conclude the set with a final score of 25-15. Neurologia's inability to respond led to their defeat, emphasizing the broader issues facing the team this season.
Now both teams will enter the holiday break before returning to play on January 9, 2025. Praia Clube will face the current league leaders Sada Cruzeiro, which will be another challenging match. At the same time, Neurologia Ativa aims to improve their standing with their match against Sesi-Bauru.
This highly anticipated matchup will be significant for both teams, as Praia continues to vie for positioning leading to playoffs, and Neurologia looks to salvage their season. Sports analysts suggest the pressure is on Neurologia to finally achieve their first victory, as time is running out.
Friday's match has showcased not only the talent of Praia Clube but also the urgency and errors of Neurologia, painting two very different pictures of success as the season progresses.
