And so we meet again, Ricardo Garcia

It's my pleasure to introduce yet another sport to the Around the Courts blog - volleyball.  A sport I grew up with, courtesy of familial involvement, then kept falling in and out of touch with. 

I must admit, prior to last week, I'd not watched a full match of volleyball ever since the Beijing Olympics final when my favourite team of all time, Brazil under the watchful eye of the great Bernardo Rezende, lost to the Team USA failing to win the 2rd consecutive title. Heartbreak to the players and the fans in the country where the sport actually means something. Something, as in, a lot. As losing or winning a match is usually a team effort, it would be pointless trying to blame the loss on one player. At the same time, it was extremely difficult not to notice that one very significant piece to the team was missing from the Olympic squad. His name's Ricardo Garcia. He's a setter. And the the time, he was considered the best in the world at that position.

The glaring absence had fans, media as well as Ricardinho's teammates shaking their heads in disbelief... The problems started in the place where you'd least expect them, at the 2007 World League Finals in Katowice, Poland where team Brazil emerged victorious with Ricardo being named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. And that was the beginning of the end. Reportedly, Ricardo declined to share the individual cash prize that came with the MVP title. That didn't go over well with Bernardo Rezende, some bitter words were said publicly by both parties and, subsequently, Ricardo's days with the National teams were over. Just like that, twelve months prior to the Olympic games.

Fast forward five years to May 2012, Toronto hosts the 1st out of four group rounds of the World League. I'm attending my 1st live volleyball event since 2007 (the last time Canada participated in this prestigious series). Elated to watch Brazil play again, but not expecting to see too many familiar faces. Warm up before the 1st match... There's coach Bernardinho, his son and team's setter - Bruno, Dante, Rodrigao and that one guy who looks eerily like Ricardo Garcia! 

More after the jump.

Yes, Ricardo Garcia. Obviously, this cannot be him, it's just my volleyball fan's mind playing tricks on me wanting to turn back the clock and pretend it's 2007 again. But wait a second, it says Ricardo on the back of this player's jersey. Still, that doesn't say much, it's a pretty common name in Brazil. Right? Right?! Just a second though, this 'Ricardo' right hear is wearing number 17. That looks strangely familiar. What number did THE Ricardo played with? WAS IT 17?! Nah, it couldn't have been!!!

Photo by MegiMK

Smart phone to the rescue: Ricardo used play with #17, he still does as he's here and he'll be starting the game! Being away from several years myself, I originally assumed Ricardinho must have returned to the team at some point But no, this is first match in four years. And I'm watching it live. I'm not going to lie, it does feel special.

Brazil, playing with a rather experimental line-up determined by injuries to Murilo Endres, Leandro Vissotto and Giba goes on to lose the match to Poland in the 5th and deciding set but so early in the preparations for London, doesn't really account for much.

Welcome back, Ricardo. Great to see the common sense win over posturing , pouting and fake drama. Hard to imagine a better time for putting all this madness behind you. Even though this entire madness can't be undone, the Beijing Gold Medal can no longer be won, there's another one up for grabs in just two months from now. As demonstrated in Athens in 2004, Gold fits you. Go for it. Just do it!