Rio, February 25, 2004 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The Brazilian Beach Soccer Selection concludes this week the third stage of its preparations for the X World Beach Soccer Championship. Training sessions will be resumed today, Ash Wednesday, at 4:30 P.M. on Leme Beach, in Rio de Janeiro. According to the Selection's press office, the players' goal is to conquer the title in this sport for the ninth time, at the world championship which will be held on Copacabana Beach from February 29 to March 7.

The X World Beach Soccer Championship will be disputed by 12 selections from North and South America and Europe. Brazil and Germany will open the competition on Sunday (29), at 10 A.M., with free public admission.

The players began their training two weeks ago in the municipality of Macaé, in the interior of the state of Rio. The coach, Jorge Ferreira Alves, "the Indian," wants "the selection to combine all its technical potential with tactical application, which, in theory, can place the team in an invincible position," the press office informed. The second week of training took place in the city of Vitória, Espírito Santo. On Thursday (26), another set of training sessions will be held, at 8:30 A.M. and 4:30 P.M., also on Leme Beach.

The X World Beach Soccer Championship has the support of the Rio Municipal Government and the Secretariat of Sports and Leisure of the state of Rio and is under the supervision of Beach Soccer Worldwide. (DAS)