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Brazil will play Cuba for the gold medal

 

GUADALAJARA, Mexico, October 19, 2011- World No. 1 Brazil advanced to the match for the gold medal of women’s volleyball at the XVI Pan American Games following a straight-set (25-19, 25-18, 25-23) win against Dominican Republic on Wednesday night.

 

The Brazilian women last won the gold medal at the quadrennial event in 1999 when it was held at Winnipeg, Canada. The three-time gold medal winners will clash with reigning and eight-time champions Cuba in the decisive clash on Thursday.

 

Mari Steinbrecher led Brazil with 10 points and Paula Pequeno added 8. Fabiana Claudino and Thaisa Menezes each registered 7 points including three blocks. Milagros Cabral and Prisilla Rivera had 12 and 11 respectively for Dominican Republic and Bethania De la Cruz added 9.

 

Jose Roberto Guimaraes (Coach of Brazil): “I think we began with two good sets, we lost concentration on the third and we didn’t think that Dominican Republic could make the match more complicated. But you have to respect a team like that, and even more when you have to dispute a match that gives you the chance to compete for a gold medal. I was worried about that.”

 

Marcos Kwiek (Coach of Dominican Republic): “Playing against Brazil is always tough. Brazil is a team that doesn’t give you points. We have to fight to get the points and that is good because as long as we face teams like them, we will learn more.”

 

Fabiana Claudino (Captain of Brazil): “We are happy for being in the finals. I want to think about tomorrow’s match a little bit more. It is not going to be easy. Cuba is a team that is growing up, is very strong has a strong attack and service, and we are preparing for that moment.”

 

Milagros Cabral (Captain of Dominican Republic): “We lost a match 3-0, but now is time to delete the CD and we will give our best tomorrow to get the bronze medal. Our team went out to play but we faced a team that makes just a few mistakes and in a semifinal you are not allowed to make that kind of mistakes. The key moment was on the third set.”