Six of the finest – L to R Talita, Maria, Juliana, Larissa, Kessy, Ross. (photo credit: FIVB)
It was bound to be one of them.
I’ve yet to see a conspicuous announcement, but this article casually reveals that with Larissa and Juliana’s split, due to Larissa’s (possibly temporary) retirement, Juliana will continue next season with Maria Antonelli. Maria herself had been in a partnership with Talita Antunes, one that paled in comparison to Larissa and Juliana but was pretty well the envy of any other team in the world.
It didn’t take a genius to speculate that Juliana would end up with one of them (as perhaps I proved personally 😛 ). And today, it seems the choice has been made. It will be Juliana/Maria next season.
As I’ve said before, all four are similar players in terms of physical makeup and playing style. It would be a seamless transition for whoever joined up with Juliana. They just couldn’t both do it. It will be interesting to hear about why Juliana and Maria joined up. It could be something as simple as greater personal compatibility. Then there are the matters we will probably never know, such as if Talita and Maria chose to split knowing that easily the best player in their country was searching for a partner for 2013 and chose to play their luck rather than continue on together. I think I’ll always have my tinfoil hat theories.
But it leaves Talita on the outside looking in. To whom does she go now? Will she try to poach Agatha Bednarczuk or the talented youngster Barbara Seixas away from their burgeoning partnership? It seems a better option than someone further yet down the national pecking order, though knowing the reputation Brazil (quite rightfully) have, whoever she finds will be a talented, valuable counterpart. And there’s time yet, of course.
[…] (though she has said she’s definitely taking 2013 off). I hope she’ll be there in Rio. Juliana and Maria have since joined forces, but I still don’t know where this leaves […]
By: So are ANY beach volleyball tandems from last season staying together? « The Net Set on 2 February 2013
at 6:59 PM
[…] been pretty conspicuous by her absence this season. Late last calendar year it was announced that Juliana would be partnering this season with Maria Antonelli. Except for a couple of events on the Brazilian circuit, that hasn’t been the case. Maria has […]
By: Quick set: Juliana, the face on the milk carton | The Net Set on 12 June 2013
at 4:46 PM