WITH Neymar in a courtside seat cheering his countrymen, Wallace pumped his arms and let out screams from deep in his lungs as Brazil fed off the energy at raucous Maracanazinho arena.

    Over and over again he celebrated each point that got his team closer to an Olympic title.

    Brazil’s determined men’s volleyball team gave the hosts another sensational gold right next door to where Neymar and Co. did it less than 24 hours earlier in a thrilling penalty shootout against 2014 World Cup champion Germany.

    Brazil beat mighty Italy 25-22, 28-26, 26-24 Sunday for the home team’s first Olympic title in 12 years since a championship at Athens in 2004.

    As the delirious home crowd hung out to watch the medal ceremony, fans danced in the stands and chanted “Campeao! Campeao!” — or, “Champion, Champion!”

    Wallace wiped his still-sweaty brow as the Brazilian flag was raised and the national anthem began. He started singing. They all did, with tears of joy, right along with every last Brazilian in the arena.

    “It’s really special, especially winning in our own home it leaves a really good taste,” Brazil’s William said. “It’s a whole life of work and this is our result. We are very happy for this.”

    At the very end, Sergio grabbed the microphone and expressed his gratitude to thousands inside and millions elsewhere, thanking the adoring crowd and telling all the fans how much he cherishes wearing Brazil’s yellow shirt on his chest.

    Then, he and the champion Brazilians took a victory lap and celebrated some more. They capped the final day of the Rio de Janeiro Games with a memorable, emphatic volleyball victory. That heartbreaking silver from London four years ago, forget about it. Brazil won on its own soil, as a captivated country watched with pride on the final day of the Rio Olympics.

    Neymar threw his hand up in triumph when the Brazilians grabbed the hard-fought second set, then jumped to his feet on each of the two match points Brazil needed to finish it.

    Bruno rushed to Neymar for an embrace, while Lucas also ran to the stands to hug a supporter before holding Sergio in his arms and fighting tears.

    (SD-Agencies)