Canada and USA for North of the Border battle

LANGLEY, Canada, September 27 2013 - Canada beat defending champion Cuba in three sets 25-14, 25-17, 25-21 to qualify to the Norceca Men’s Continental Championship finals.

The hosts will match the United States in a classical North of the Border Battle on Saturday at Langley Events Centre. Rudy Verhoeff, (14), Dallas Soonias (12) and ohn Gordon Perrin (14) were the top scorers for Canada.

On the Cuban side Lázaro Fundora scored 9, Javier Jiménez 6 and Rolando Cepeda closed with 5.

First set was very tight between both teams. The Cuban squad fought hard despite counting on with some players that just a few weeks ago had played the U19 World Championship. Cuba also showed toughness in the third.

“We are not happy with this result. We really waited for a better one, but Canada showed a higher level and things went wrong for us,” Cuban captain Alexis Madrid said after the match.

“Canada played a great match and congratulations to them, because they applied their tactical plan and we didn’t do so for this tournament. Unfortunately our best players could not fill out the high expectations,” Cuban coach Rodolfo Sánchez, explained.

“Cuba is one of the better teams in Norceca and the world. Although They are young They are still a very physical team. We took this match very seriously, we prepared it well and the guys played with a lot of focus,” said Canadian head coach Glenn Hoag.

For Canada’s captain, Fred Winters, part of the goals have accomplished. “Our goal was to face the US in the finals and also to win this championship. We are almost there and now We are playing one ob the best teams in the world tomorrow,” He remarked.

On Saturday Canada will match USA for the ticket to the FIVB Grand Champions Cup, Puerto Rico will play for Bronze against Cuba, while Mexico will go for fifth place against Dominican Republic.