The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
Games Sunday
(Mall of Asia Arena)
11 a.m. – Germany vs Iran
3 p.m. – France vs Brazil
7 p.m. – Japan vs USA
Canada completed a 4-0 sweep of the Manila leg with a gritty 21-25, 25-22, 28-26, 14-25, 15-9 win over the Netherlands to formalize its final round entry in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Men’s Week 3 on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Canadians landed in Manila with their fates hanging in the balance but amazingly took care of business in winning all their matches against Brazil, Germany, Japan and now the Netherlands amidst its fiery resistance.
The world No. 9 Canada wrapped up its campaign at 8-4 with 23 points for fourth place to cap a successful redemption tour to the eight-team Final Round set in Poland next week.
Canada missed the cut last VNL, settling for 12th place with a dismal 3-9 record.
But not this time around with the lethal duo of Stephen Timothy Maar and Eric Loeppky headlining their sweet revenge.
Maar rifled in 18 points on 15 hits, two blocks and an ace while Loeppky manufactured 14 on 12 attacks, an ace and a block plus 10 digs to lead the way, especially in the runaway clincher after yielding to the Dutchmen in a subpar 14-25 defeat in the prior frame.
Luke Herr orchestrated Canada’s attack with 19 sets for Canada, which has previously booked a ticket in the 12-team Paris Olympics next month.
“It’s really a tough and emotional game. It’s been a great and amazing week for us. We’re just dreaming of being in the Final 8. And we’re here. I’m very happy for the team and the players,” said Canada head coach Tuomas Sammelvuo.
Nimir Abdel-Aziz, the VNL’s top scorer, once again sizzled with a game-high 37 points while Maarten Van Garderen had 17 but the Netherlands absorbed an opposite fate in going winless in Manila.
The Netherlands, world No. 13, previously bowed to Iran, Brazil and Japan for a 0-4 slate here and 3-9 overall at 13th place of the 16-team VNL.
Earlier, fan favorite and world No. 5 fended off Germany with a tough 25-23, 21-25, 26-24, 25-23 win to keep its final round hopes alive.
Matt Anderson and TJ De Falco connived with 23 and 20 points respectively as the Americans, world No. 5, forged a four-way tie with Cuba, Serbia and Argentina for the coveted eighth spot with similar 5-6 slates.
“Great, great. I think we hung on. We cooled out a couple of close sets. It’s a good feeling to be able to win and still learn,” said team captain Micah Christenson as USA primes up for a gigantic duel against another crowd darling Japan on Sunday to wrap up the VNL Manila leg.
Gyorgy Grozer had 16 points as the Paris-bound Germany, world No. 12, took a costly defeat to fall to 12th place with a 4-7 slate entering its final match against also-ran Iran (2-9) on Sunday.