Guatemalans Flores and Alvarez claim spot in Nanjing

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala, February 2, 2014 – Guatemala’s Erik Flores and Mark Alvarez claimed the AFECAVOL boys’ spot to the Youth Olympic Games of Nanjing, China prevailing over Nicaragua’s Denis and Luis Lopez 19-21, 25-23, 15-0 on Sunday at Campo Marte.

The match had to be stopped when the Nicaraguan Denis Lopez collapsed in the second set with the score tied at 23-all, leaving the gold medal in hands of the home team.

“Nicaragua is a worthy opponent, I feel sorry for them because it’s a shame things turned out the way they did” Flores said. “It was an intense match and we really wanted to win the ticket. I want to thank my school for registering us for the national ranking.”

Alvarez hardly was able to speak but he found his way to express his feelings. “My tears speak for themselves,” he said.

The Nicaraguan Luis Lopez was reluctant to accept the loss saying his team deserved the victory.

“God knows better,” he said. “We played hard and managed to tie Guatemala in the second set coming from behind, but my teammate hadn’t eaten well”.

Flores/Alvarez reached the gold medal match beating Cristian Vargas and Carlos Rodriguez of El Salvador by 2-0 (21-17, 21-15), while Lopez/Lopez of Nicaragua dominated Costa Rica’s Alejandro Fuentes and Sebastian Valenciano 2-0 (21-16, 21-18).

Gonzalez/Valenciano of Costa Rica captured the third place winning the bronze medal match by

2-0 (21-15, 21-14) over Vargas/Rodriguez of El Salvador. Both teams still have one more chance of reaching Nanjing at the NORCECA playoff in Puerto Rico.

Boy’s Results

Semifinals: GUA d ESA 2-0 (21-17, 21-15); NCA d CRC 2-0 (21-16, 21-18); 5-6 position: HON d PAN 2-1 (24-22, 15-21, 15-12); Bronze Medal Match: CRC d ESA 2-0 (21-15, 21-14); Gold Medal Match: GUA d NCA 2-1 (19-21, 25-23, 15-0); Final Positions: 1. Guatemala, 2. Nicaragua, 3. Costa Rica, 4. El Salvador, 5. Honduras, 6. Panama.