Canada, Cuba, Mexico and Brazil are in the Final
Four
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, July 19, 2007 – Canada, Cuba, Mexico and
Brazil were successful in their quarter-final matches today and
advance to the semi-finals in women’s beach volleyball.
Lessard/Maxwell from Canada defeated Mena/Hernandez from Uruguay
in the first quarter-final match of the day with scores of 21-11
and 21-10. The Canadian pair was pleased with the support of the
fans. “With many fans cheering us, we felt confident,” commented
Sarah Maxwell following the win, “We knew how the other duo plays
and we knew that we were going to run a lot on the court. Our
defense was required many times, but it was worth the effort now
that we are qualified for the semi-finals.”
Fernandex/Larrea from Cuba faced the Galindo sisters from Colombia
in the other quarter-final afternoon match. Cuba easily defeated
the Colombian pair 21-12, 21-14 to also advance. Cuba will face
Canada in semi-final action tomorrow at 5:00 pm.
The evening featured the two other women’s quarter-final matches,
with USA facing Mexico and Brazil against Uruguay. Candelas/Garcia
of Mexico played an outstanding match and defeated the USA team of
Akers/Niles 2-0 (21-18, 21-19) to advance to the semis. “I’m
disappointed,” said Akers following the match, “The result didn’t
reflect the game. We deserved to win a set at least. They
defended well and didn’t let us play well. We are sad to leave
the tournament.” In the last match of the evening, crowd favorite
Brazil defeated Uruguay in straight sets 21-8, 21-11. Mexico will
face Brazil in semi-final action tomorrow at 4:00 pm.
In men’s competition, the teams played their final pool play
matches today to determine who advances to the quarter-finals.
Brazil started off the day with a decisive win against Costa Rica
(21-9, 21-10) in pool A, however both teams advance to the
quarter-finals. In pool B, Cuba continued their winning streak by
defeating Uruguay in a close match (23-21, 25-23). Both Cuba and
Uruguay advance to the quarter-finals. The surprise of the day,
featured Puerto Rico’s win over the USA 2-1 (23-21, 15-21, 15-8).
Joaquin Acosta had this to say about the victory, “It was
complicated. We have always known that the USA team is strong. The
victory shows the Puerto Rican people that we can do it. Our
objective was to be ranked among the five best but now we dream of
being among the three best.” Both USA and Puerto Rico advance to
the quarter-finals with their 2-1 records in pool C. In pool D,
Canada continued their winning streak by defeating Mexico 2-0 in a
tight match (21-18, 22-20). The loss was disappointing to the
Ontiveros brothers of Mexico, however both teams advance to the
quarter-finals.
Beach volleyball action continues July 20th at Copacabana Beach
with semi-finals for women and quarter-finals for men.
Results Summary – July 19, 2007
Women’s Beach Volleyball Competition
Quarterfinal 52
Silva/Franca
BRA Cardozo/Guerrero URU 2-0 (21:8,21:11)
31 min
Quarterfinal 51
Candelas/Garcia
MEX Akers/Niles USA 2-0 (21:18,21:19)
45 min
Quarterfinal 48
Fernandez/Larrea
CUB Galindo/Galindo COL 2-0 (21:12,21:14) 35
min
Quarterfinal 47
Lessard/Maxwell
CAN Mena/Hernandez ECU 2-0 (21:11,21:10) 36
min
Results Summary – July 19, 2007
Men’s Beach Volleyball Competition
Pool D 50 Recabarren/Chamy CHI Bolanos/Gonzalez
GUA 2-0 (21:19, 22:20) 44 min
Pool D 49
Kruger/Montgomery
CAN Ontiveros/Ontiveros MEX 2-0 (21:18,22:20) 41 min
Pool C 46
Gil/Acosta
PUR Stolfus/Loomis USA 2-1
(23:21,15:21,15:8) 55 min
Pool C 45
Henrique/Hernandez
VEN Bardales/Maldonado ECU 2-0 (21:13,23:21) 47 min
Pool B 44
Alvarez/Munder
CUB Dalmas/Zanotta URU 2-0 (23:21,25:23)
46 min
Pool B 43 Calderon/Castro NCA
Medrano/Vargas
ESA 0-2 (18:21,14:21) 31 min
Pool A 42 Cabrales/Naranjo COL
Perez/Suarez
ARG 0-2 (11:21,14:21) 34 min
Pool A 41
Ricardo/Emanuel
BRA Guevara/Araya CRC 2-0 (21:9,21:10)
30 min
