Canada beats Turkey, advances to World League group final
The Olympic-bound men’s team from Volleyball Canada is one step away from potentially returning to Group 1 of the FIVB World League.
Having won eight of nine matches in pool play of Group 2, Canada went through to the semifinals in Portugal, where it beat Turkey in three competitive sets 3-0 (26-24, 25-17, 25-23).
Canadian players celebrate beating Turkey at FIVB World League Group 2 semifinals on July 9, 2016.
Turkey was always going to provide a stiff test for the Canadians, having also won eight of nine pool matches. Their resiliency was on display especially in the third set, when Canada was up 23-17 but six consecutive Turkish points equalized the set, before the last two were wrestled away by the Canadian men for the victory.
RELATED: Canada juggles fitness before Olympics
RELATED: Carioca Crash Course: Volleyball edition
Canada will now play in the final against either Netherlands or host nation Portugal on Sunday, to determine who wins Group 2 of World League outright. The winning country could be promoted to the elite World League Group 1.
Last month Canada qualified for men’s Olympic volleyball for the first time since Barcelona 1992.
