Mexico, Puerto Rico, Canada and USA in Round of 16

ACAPULCO, Mexico, July 18, 2014 — Friday’s men’s action, for teams under 17 years old, saw the first elimination round net the eight teams to advance to Saturday’s second ‘knockout’ round at the inaugural double-gender FIVB Beach Volleyball U17 World Championships being held through Sunday in Acapulco, Mexico.

Winners in Friday’s first round of eliminations were two teams from host country Mexico and one each from Canada, France, Puerto Rico, Russia, Turkey and the United States. They winners now advance while the losing teams leave Acapulco with great memories of being part of a world championship event and official 17th-place finishes.

The original men’s field of 25 teams representing each of the five FIVB Confederations has been reduced to 16 for Saturday’s round of 16 and quarterfinals to set the stage for Sunday’s semifinals, bronze medal and gold medal matches. Being held at Playa Tamarindos in Acapulco Bay alongside of the glistening Pacific Ocean this history-making event will determine the first FIVB U17 World Champions in each gender on Sunday.

Filled with intense competition from the first whistle to the last spike, the winners of the first round elimination matches early Friday evening were Canada’s Jordan Pereira/Taryq Sani, France’s Marc Darrieux/Timothee Platre, Mexico’s Miguel Verduzco/Miguel Sarabia, both from Tijuana, Mexico’s Carlos Hernandez/Wilfrido Martinez , both from Coatzacoalcos, Puerto Rico’s Ricardo Muratti/Gustavo Bultrago, Russia’s Alexey Trokhan/Vasilii Ivanov, Turkey’s Mehmet Yildiz/Tomas Onder and USA’s Aidan Brown/Lucas Lossone.

Mexico’s three men’s teams have all advanced to the round of 16 and Sarabia was happy to share his feelings on his team’s match and the tournament being held in his home country. 

Sarabia said, “The Portuguese team played really well. I’m really excited about the competition, it’s our first time at an international event and we’ve all had the opportunity to watch and learn from the different styles of game from the competitors. Now we’re going against Italy and I know it’s going to be tough. 

“Overall, it is been unbelievable to have this FIVB U17 World Championships in our country. With all three of our men’s team’s advancing our great Mexican fans should enjoy the weekend in Acapulco even more. I know all of us players. will.”