|
SANTO DOMINGO,
Dominican Republic, August 18, 2009 – Mexico is
to meet Germany on August 21-22 in Berlin in the
2010 World League Qualification represented by a
blend of a few seasoned veterans and players of
its new breed out of the junior ranks.
Currently 35th in the
FIVB World Rankings, Mexico will be looking for
its first participation in a world event since
competing in the World Championship in Argentina
in 1982.
The Mexican side comes to German soil with their
best talent available, led by veteran Gerardo
Ivan Contreras, fully recovered from a knee
surgery, attackers Gustavo Meyer and Carlos
Guerra, left-handed opposite Jose Martell and
dependable libero Mario Becerra.
The team coached by
Jorge Azair also comprises of juniors Pedro
Rangel, Leonardo Manzo, Irving Bricio and
Ignacio Rivera, who have been playing together
since the Youth World Championship in 2007.
The Mexicans are in a
win-win situation. In the event they are not
successful in their attempt to beat Germany, the
contests will nevertheless benefit them in
preparation of playing in the Playoff Round of
the 2010 World Championship to take place in
Guadalajara on August 26-31 against Canada,
Dominican Republic and Panama.
Mexico won the
NORCECA-B second round tournament in Jamaica on
May 20-24 without losing a single set against
Bahamas, St. Lucia and Haiti.
Playing without the
services of Contreras, they then lost a
five-setter against hosts Puerto Rico in the
decisive match of the third round tournament
NORCECA-G played in Caguas on July 8-10.
Martell had 18 points
and Meyer and Guerra added 15 in the loss to
Puerto Rico by a score of 25-13, 23-25, 25-18,
24-26, 15-8.
The other first leg
of the World League Qualifiers has Iran meeting
Egypt on September 4-5. If Mexico and Egypt come
out winners, Mexico would next meet Japan in the
second round. If the winners are Mexico and
Iran, the NORCECA representative will meet
Venezuela.
The NORCECA
Confederation has only had three countries
represented in the prestigious FIVB World
League. Cuba has participated in every edition,
USA is currently active and Canada has taken
part on several occasions.
|
