Cuba qualified second in Pool A

 

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, July 25, 2007.- Cuba beat Canada in straight sets (25-19, 25-17, 25-22) of Pool A and moved to the semi final phase of the volleyball competition in the Pan American Games.

 

On Friday, the Cubans will play against USA while Venezuela will meet Brazil in the semi finals. The winners will go for the gold and the losers will dispute the bronze medal.

 

Pedro Iznaga led the balanced Cuban attack with 10 points. Michael Sanchez and Roberlandy Simon each had 9 points, and Oriol Camejo and Osdelvis Dominicano each produced 8 tallies. Paul Duerden and Fred Winters with 14 and 10 points topped Canada.

 

Cuba relied on its game of power combining their strong kills with great defense above the net neutralizing their rivals’ attacks.

 

The first set was the closest with the Cubans leading 16-14 at the second technical pause, but from that point on, they took control and never looked back.