Venturini is Back!

At 40, she’s still got it!

One of the world’s best setters of all time, Fernanda Venturini, is making an unexpected return to volleyball after a 3 year hiatus. The 4 time Olympian (1988, 1992, 1996, 2004) will set for Unilever – the 2010/2011 Superliga Champions.

Since her husband, Bernardinho Rezende, is the coach, we wonder if she gets yelled at too.

Anyways, Fernanda doesn’t need to worry a lot because she’s got Mari, Natalia and Sheilla as her main hitters and Fabi as the libero. Knowing that Mari and Natalia are not the best passers, Fernanda might do a lot of some running every now and then.

Fernanda is a legend!

We really enjoyed watching her at the 1996 Olympics. Against Cuba in the semifinal, she remained calm and cool even if Luis, Torres, Carvajal & Team were taunting her and the rest her of Brazilian teammates. She didn’t really care about the dirty stares and the trash talks across the net. She even tried to stop the fight at the end of the match. She’s got class!

Fernanda skipped the 2000 Olympics and then made a successful comeback in 2004. She became Brazil’s main setter at the Grand Prix which Brazil won and she was awarded as the Best Setter. Fernanda led Brazil to a 4th- place finish at the Olympics in Athens.

Fernanda attempted to rejoin the National Team in 2008 but Coach Guimaraes denied her application proposal. Coach Guimaraes brought Fofao and Carolina instead. As we all know, Brazil won its first Olympic Gold.

Venturini, mother of 2, has won several Superliga titles. To Read Fernanda’s Full Profile, click THIS.

Welcome back Queen Fernanda Venturini!

Side Dish: Fofao is also going back to Brazil next season after leaving Fenerbahce. With 2 legendary setters in the Superliga, it’s going to another great and spectacular season!

(images: globoesporte.com/ FIVB)