Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 10, 2016 - The third competition day in Pool A of the men’s volleyball tournament at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games will start with a match between Canada and France. The two teams will meet at the Maracanazinho on Thursday, each with a 1-1 win-loss record so far, but with different vibes about their performances on the Olympic court.
After shocking USA with a straight-setter on Sunday, the Canadians also won the first set against hosts Brazil on Tuesday and left a good impression despite ending up with a 1-3 (26-24, 18-25, 22-25, 17-25) loss. John Gordon Perrin was Canada’s best scorer in that match, contributing 15 points to his team’s tally.
"We have one day and then we play France in a crucial game,” Perrin took a look forward after the match with Brazil. “The French going to be on their A game, because they need to win. So we will have to match that and try to get a good result.”
Indeed, France managed to rebound from the disappointing performance against Italy on opening day, but it was with a win against Olympic rookies Mexico – 3-0 (25-18, 25-12, 25-22), and have a much tougher programme ahead of them. Antonin Rouzier and Earvin Ngapeth shared the game’s top scorer honours with 13 points each.
“The Olympic Games is the best event for any athlete,” said Fance’s captain Benjamin Toniutti, who contributed three aces to the win against Mexico. “It is good to play our best volleyball and to give our best for our country and our sport. So we will fight until the end.”
France and Canada’s encounter at the FIVB World Olympic Qualification Tournament in Japan earlier this year was a quick one. On June 2 in Tokyo, the European side completely dominated and shut out their North American opponents by 3-0 (25-17, 25-17, 25-16).