Cuba and USA join Canada in WCH second round

KATOWICE, Poland, September 7, 2014 – Cuba and United States have joined Canada as teams from NORCECA Confederation qualified to the second round of the FIVB Men’s World Championship.

Both teams earned their respective tickets even before their matches on Sunday when Germany defeated Korea 3-0  (25-13, 25-16, 25-21) to allow the advance of Cuba in Pool B and France outplayed Belgium 3-2 (25-14, 21-25, 25-20, 22-25, 15-12) and Iran beat Puerto Rico 3-0 (25-17, 25-22, 25-13) in Pool D to permit the qualification of the United States.

In Sunday’s matches:

Canada 3, China 2

John Gordon Perrin sparked Canada to a 3-0 (26-24, 27-25, 25-17) victory over China in a match between teams already qualified to the second round of the competition. Gordon Perrin recorded 18 points, including two blocks and two aces, as the main contributor to the fourth victory of the Canadians against one loss in Pool C. Dallas Soonias and Nicholas Hoag added 15 and 10 points in the victory.

Mexico 3, Egypt 2

Mexico edged Egypt 3-2 (16-25, 25-20, 25-21, 21-25,15-10) in a match between winless teams already eliminated from contention. Both teams gave an outstanding effort of professionalism in the meaningless contest. Daniel Vargas and Samuel Cordova both had six blocks while leading the winners with 20 and 18 points, respectively. Egypt’s Ahmed Abdelhay had a match-high 24 points in the loss.

Iran 3, Puerto Rico 0

Another outstanding blocking display from tournament-leader Seyed Mousavi sealed Iran’s smooth victory over Puerto Rico in straight sets (25-17, 25-22, 25-14) finishing the hopes of the Caribbean team of advancing to the second round. Mousavi matched his tournament-high 8 blocks to finish with 12 points, while Shahram Mahmoudi ranked above all the scorers in the match with 13 tallies. Puerto Rican bomber Maurice Torres concluded with 10 points.

Brazil 3, Cuba 1

Brazil led Pool B as they beat battling Cuba 3-1 (22-25, 25-23, 25-18, 25-17) at the end of the first round match. Brazil stayed unbeaten in pool matches and improved their record to 5-0. Aggressive serves, advance in blocks and good passes followed by high attack efficiency was Brazil’s key to win Sunday’s match with Cuba. Sidnei Dos Santos and Lukas Saatkamp shared the honours as Brazilian leading scorers for the match with 10 points apiece and 3 and 2 aces, respectively. Luis Felipe Marques chipped in with nine in the victory. Cuba’s Isbel Mesa and Javier Jimenez had 16 and 14 points in the loss.

United States 3, Italy 1

United States outplayed Italy 3-1 (25-18, 25-20, 23-25, 25-17) in a match between teams already qualified in Pool D at Krakow Arena on Sunday. The Americans seized Pool D third place, while Italy finished right behind them. Maxwell Holt was the most prolific scorer with 19 points, also with high attacking numbers and 5 stuff blocks. Wing spikers Taylor Sander and Paul Lotman supported him with 13 tallies apiece. Jiri Kovar led the way for Italy, also with 13 points for the defeated side.