BEIJING, Aug 6: Men’s Olympic volleyball champions Brazil are playing down their chances in Beijing this year following a painful home defeat by the US last month at the World League finals.

Bernardo Resende, coach of the twice world champions, thinks the US, Russia, Italy, Bulgaria, Poland and Serbia will all challenge for medals.

“World volleyball today is maybe at its highest competitive level,” he told reporters on Wednesday. “Any of those who I cited can win the gold.

“To be an Olympic champion is not just a matter of being prepared. To win it, everything has to run in your favour.”

Brazil lost in three straight sets to the Americans in front of a large crowd in Rio for the League semi-final.

“The Americans are a very dangerous team. They know how to play tactically,” he said. “They studied the way we play and managed to beat us. We are hurt and we will have to learn how to play while bleeding.”—Reuters