Needless to say, Brazil’s boys and girls will be among the hot favourites when futsal takes its Olympic bow at Buenos Aires 2018, and Amandinha says that even within her state league in Santa Catarina, there is a wealth of talent in the under 18 age group, who are likely to set the stage alight at next year’s YOG. “I can name three players who I like a lot and who have every chance of featuring at the YOG: my Leoas da Serra teammate Maria Julia, Ana who plays for Balneário, and Caroloma Shimoguiri of Chapecó. These three are natural born talents with a huge amount of potential. Hopefully they can help Brazil win gold next year.”