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.” |