Canada seal ticket to London Olympic Games

Mazatlan, Mexico, June 23, 2012 – Canada booked a direct ticket to the men’s beach volleyball tournament of  the London Olympic Games by defeating Mexico 3-1 in the NORCECA Continental Cup Finals held in Mazatlan, Mexico from June 19 to 23.

Mexico and Cuba, the second and third placed countries in the eight-team event, remain in competition for a chance at the Summer Games as part of the World Cup Qualification Tournament in Moscow, Russia from June 27 to July 1.

The duo of Josh Binstock and Martin Reader sealed the spot to London by prevailing 2-1 (21-17, 11-21, 15-13) in a tough battle against Mexico’s Aldo Miramontes and Juan Virgen in the fourth match of the series.

The Canadians first won 21-11, 21-13 over Ulises and Rodolfo Ontiveros of Mexico-B but Miramontes and Virgen came back with j wioe .

“I am so proud about this achievement for my country,” Reader said. “It was a dream since I was 11 years old about going to the Olympic Games and started playing sports.”

“It was a real challenge to play under this hot weather,” Binstock said. “But playing in the world tour helped very much to stay in shape and in a good mental condition.”

Final results

Cuba 2, El Salvador 0

CUB-B d. ESA-A (21-11, 21-13)

CUB-A d. ESA-B (21-10, 21-11)

Puerto Rico 2, Guatemala 1

PUR-A d. GUA-B (21-17, 21-16)

GUA-A d. PUR-B (21-18, 21-18)

PUR d. GUA-A (15-5)

Third Place

Cuba 2, Puerto Rico 0

CUB-B d. PUR-A (21-19, 21-17)

CUB-A d. PUR-B (21-19, 21-12)

First place

Canada 3, Mexico 1

CAN-A d. MEX-B (21-11, 21-13)

MEX-A d. CAN-B (21-15, 21-18)

CAN-B d. MEX-B (21-16, 21-18)

CAN-A  d. MEX-A (21-17, 11-21, 15-13) *