Canada claim 2017 World League Group 1 spot 

MATOSINHOS, Portugal, July 10, 2016 – John Gordon Perrin led Canada on top of 2016 FIVB World League Group 2 by sweeping hosts Portugal in straight sets in Sunday’s Group 2 final at Centro de Desportos e Congressos in Matosinhos.

With their tenth triumph in the last 11 matches in the World League, the Canadians have secured their promotion into the 2017 FIVB World League Group 1. The Netherlands finished third. 

The Canadian outside hitters John Gordon Perrin (19 points) and Nicholas Hoag (14) contributed 33 kills for Canada’s 3-0 (25-19, 25-22, 25-15) triumph while Portugal’s captain Alexandre Ferreira scored 11 points for the Europeans. 

The only Canadian defeat in the World League this season was suffered against Finland.

On Sunday afternoon, the Netherlands finished their 2016 FIVB World League Group 2 campaign on the third place.

Led by their outstanding star player Wouter Ter Maat (28 points), the team of coach Gido Vermeulen saw off Turkey in four sets 25-23, 28-30, 25-22, 25-22 at Centro de Desportos e Congressos in Matosinhos. 

Wouter Ter Maat scored a match-high 28 points to lead the “Oranjes” to the third rank while Baturalp Burak Gungor contributed 21 kills for the Turks.