Canada lost to Belgium in four sets

ANTWERP, Belgium, June 8, 2014 - It was a match full of ups and downs, but Canada ended on the down side of this one, as Belgium won in four sets 33-31, 25-12, 21-25, 25-23 today. 

This is Canada’s first loss of the 2014 FIVB World League intercontinental round, and the team is now 3-1, heading back home to again face the Belgians next weekend in Vancouver.

Belgium’s Bram Van den Dries led with 24 kills for his team, also known as the Red Dragons, pleasing the 4,000 fans at Antwerp’s Lotto Arena. 

Canada’s Gavin Schmitt, who entered the game at the beginning of the third set, had 14 points for Canada, as did Fred Winters. Adam Simac had a strong game ending up contributing 10 points to Canada’s effort.

Canada won over Belgium in five sets on Friday, therefore gaining only two of three possible points. Belgium gets a full three points for today’s four-set win, and is now the leader of Pool C with a three-point advantage on Canada and even seven on Australia and Finland.

Next weekend’s games (June 13 and 14) at the UBC’s Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre promise to be exciting as Canada seeks to get back on top of its game.