Hosts Brazil are with their backs against the wall in final day of pool play competition
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 15, 2016 - Final day of preliminary round in men’s volleyball tournament finds hosts Brazil in a four-way tie in Pool A of the competition where only Italy, the team with the best record in the group, are secured of a place in the quarterfinals.
The home squad which succumbed in its last two appearances is scheduled to meet the strong side of France in the closing match of Monday.
Brazil, France, Canada and United States all are forced to win their Monday’s closing matches to guarantee their presence in the competition.
Impressive Pool B leaders Argentina (3-1) open the final day of the men’s preliminary round meeting the already ousted Egypt (1-3) at 9:30 local time.
The team coached by Julio Velasco began their campaign with victories over Iran and Russia before losing to Poland, the second place squad in the group with identical record of 3-1 and 9 points.
The United States (3-1) will be seeking for their third victory in a row at 11:30 when they take on Mexico, an adversary that is still winless in four tries.
The Americans lost their first two matches against Canada and Italy but got back in contention with victories over France and Brazil.
Third match of the day opens the afternoon session with Olympic defending champions Russia versus Iran, a team already locked in fourth place.
World champions Poland whose 2.200 set-ratio put them slightly behind Argentina (2.250) in set-ratio, meet winless Cuba at 16:00.
Italy meets Canada in the first match of the evening session at 20:30, followed by the much anticipated clash between Brazil and France at 22:35.