FORTALEZA, Brazil, September 8, 2008.- Once again Brazil climbed to the highest step of the podium. Supported by partisan fans who crowded the Paolo Serasate Gymnasium in the capital of Cearaa, the Brazilians defeated the Dominican Republic in the last match of the Final Four by score of 3-0, with the sets finishing 25-21, 25-17 and 25-18 in 1 hour and 17 minutes.

The match was historic: It was the farewell to a symbol of the generation of the Brazilian Selection, the setter and captain Fofao. In her match 340 with the shirt of the national team, .. More Spanish

FORTALEZA, Brazil, September 8, 2008.- The young volleyball team of Argentina upset the experienced Cuba and finished in third place of the Final Four, the competition organized by the recently founded Volleyball Pan American Union, staged in Fortaleza, Ceara.

In 1 hour and 45 minutes, with score of 26-24, 25-19, 16-25 and 25-22, Argentina showed that they are on the right track in its renovation process. More Spanish

FORTALEZA, Brazil, September 7, 2008.- The Brazilian women’s volleyball team secured, without difficulties, its berth for the decision of the Final Four. The Olympic champions defeated Argentina 3-0 with the scores 25-15, 25-12, 25-12 in 1 hour and 4 minutes at the Paulo Sarasate Gymnasium of the Ceara’s capital.

Fabiana was the best scorer of the match with 15 points -eight in attacks, four in blocks and three with serves. Jacqueline Carvalho added 11. More Spanish

FORTALEZA, Brazil, September 7, 2008.- The Dominican Republic women’s team is the first finalist of the Final Four in Fortaleza after defeating Cuba 3 sets to 0 and scores of 25-17, 25-16, 25-20 in 1h 9 minutes at the Paulo Sarasate Gymnasium.

Dominican Bethania de la Cruz once again was the top scorer. Bethania had 16 points via 11 attacks, three blocks and two aces. Sidarka Nunez and Milagros Cabral each had 12 points.

Even without the result of the other today’s semi final between Brazil and Argentina, the coach of Dominican Republic, Brazilian Marcos Kwiek, has no doubts that the opponent in Sunday’s finale will be Brazil. More Spanish

FORTALEZA, Brazil, September 6, 2008.- In the third and last round of the qualifying phase of the Final Four Tournament, in the Brazilian city of  Fortaleza, the hosts overcame Cuba on straight sets and advanced to the semifinals as the only unbeaten side.  With a convincing performance that thrilled the fans in the Paulo Salasarte Gymnasium, the Brazilians scored 25-18, 25-15 and 25-13 in 1h 10 minutes.

In the semifinals, which will be played this Saturday, Brazil will meet Argentina, while Cuba and the Dominican Republic will clash for the other spot in the final, to be played on Sunday.  More Spanish

FORTALEZA, Brazil, September 6, 2008.- The Dominican Republic defeated Argentina 25-12, 25-19, 25-17 in 1h 13 minutes in the last round of the qualifying phase of the Final Four Tournament, in Fortaleza.

Once again, Bethania de La Cruz was the most outstanding player in  the Dominican Republic side.  Top scorer against Brazil , De la Cruz totaled 13 against Argentina, being 11 in attacks and two in serves. Annerys Vargas and Sidarka Nunez each scored 10 points. Natali Flaviani was the best of Argentina with 9 points. More Spanish

FORTALEZA, Brazil, September 5, 2008.- The Brazilian national volleyball team won their second straight match in the Final Four Tournament, played in Fortaleza, in the Northeast of Brazil.

The Olympic Champions counted on the support of six thousand fans to defeat the Dominican Republic 3–1 (15-25, 25-19, 25-22 , 25-12), in 1h 30. Bethânia de La Cruz, from the Caribbean side, was the top scorer of the match, with 25 points, being 21 in attacks and four in serves.

In Brazil’s side, Fabiana was the most efficient in scoring: 17 points (11 in attacks, five blocks and one serve). Sheila Castro and Marianne Steinbrecher added 13 and 11 respectively. More Spanish

FORTALEZA, Brazil, September 5, 2008.- Runner-up in the Grand Prix, in Asia, last July, the Cuban national team assured their first victory in the Final Four, beating Argentina 3- 0 (25-20, 25-20, 25-20) in1h 17.

The game’s top scorer was Cuban Yusleyni Alvarez, with 15 points, being ten in attacks, two blocks and three serves. Yalenis Santos had 14, Kenia Carcaces and Rachel Perez – each added 13 points. The third round of the final four will see a clash between Brazil and Cuba – two sides that have lived memorable moments in women volleyball. More Spanish

FORTALEZA, Brazil, August 2, 2008.- The matches Cuba vs. Dominican Republic and Brazil vs. Argentina kick-off  on Wednesday the Final Four Women’s Tournament, the first competition organized by the Volleyball Pan American Union.

It will be the first presentation of the Brazilian National Team after winning the gold medal at the Olympic Games. Cuba is the vice-champion of the 2008 World Grand Prix, Dominican Republic won the Pan American Cup where Argentina was a bronze medallist.

The Dominican Republic team has been in Fortaleza for one week now and had the opportunity to engage in three friendly matches. The coach of the Caribbean team, Brazilian Marcos Kwiek, More Spanish

FORTALEZA, Brazil, September 1, 2008.- Brazil will host during the early days of September, in Fortaleza, the first edition of the Women’s Final Tour Volleyball Tournament. During five days, on September 3-7, Argentina, Brasil, Cuba and Dominican Republic will dispute the competition at the Paulo Sarasate Gymnasium.

The event is the first official competition organized by the Volleyball Pan American Union, founded last year and presided over by Mr. Ary Graca, of Brazil. Starting with this edition, the Final Four will be played annually, and the participants will be defined by the results obtained in the Pan American Cup. Those will be the top two qualified teams from the South American Volleyball Confederation and the two best teams from NORCECA.  More Spanish