Colombia and Cuba advance to the women's final

BARRANQUILLA. July 31, 2018. Cuba and Colombia advanced to the final of the beach volleyball tournament of the XXIII Central American and Caribbean Games Barranquilla 2018, after two games full of emotion, tears and great effort.

The Cuban Mailen Deliz /Leila Martinez, recovered from losing the first set, to win the match 16-21, 21-13, 15-10 against Norisbeth Agudo / Gabriela Brito, from Venezuela.

Deliz commented that "the key was that they were playing us at the back of the court in the first set, so in the second set we did the same and that worked for us, we went back and we showed that we can come from behind because we had not been like that in No match".

"After this game we are more determined to be in the final and reach the gold medal," said Deliz.

Cuba won the XXII edition of the Central American and Caribbean Games in Veracruz, which meant its second gold medal, one silver and it will have the opportunity to defend the title. Meanwhile, Colombia will go to its first final, it only has one bronze medal.

The Colombian Yuli Ayala / Diana Rios, gave a great show, in part by the demand of the Puerto Rican couple Allanis Navas/Maria Gonzalez, who showed a great defense and made the whole field tour the hosts.

Colombia prevailed (21-18, 15-21, 15-13), ending Diana Ríos with a muscular contracture at the moment of the celebration of the last point before the wear of the whole game.

"We all dreamed of reaching a final, Colombia had not been able to, but now we achieved it. Puerto Rico was a great rival, we never lost hope, we never lost a ball, until the last point we fight", said Ayala.

"Let's go for that, I pray. Always with a smile that is what characterizes us, if we are winning we are happy, if we go down, enjoying, that is the important thing", said Ayala.

The women's final will be played at 8:00 p.m. at the main court of “Puerta de Oro” Events Center in Barranquilla.

Result of tuesday

Semifinals

CUB d VEN 2-1 (16-21, 21-13, 15-10)

COL - PUR 2-1 (21-18, 15-21, 15-13)

Classification 5-8

GUA d JAM 2-0 (21-12, 21-9)

MEX d NCA 2-0 (21-13, 21-9)

Classification 9-12

ESA d DOM 2-0 (21-16, 29-27)

TTO d HON 2-0 (21-17, 21-19)

Consolidation Semifinals

CUR d SKN 2-0 (21-14, 21-16)

CAY d SUR 2-1 (21-12, 11-21, 15-11)

Classification 9-12

ISV d ANT 2-0 (21-15, 21-17)

LCA d BIZ 2-0 (21-18, 21-13)