In front of an excited crowd and with the television news media on hand, the inaugural Global Cup – Brazil ended on Tuesday, June 28, 2016, with two Brazilian volleyball teams coming out on top of the competition. Five men’s team age 40+ and four women’s teams age 55+ fought it out for the title of world champion for the first time in their respective age groups and for the first time on Brazilian soil.
The men’s teams competing in Sao Paulo from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Paraguay and the United States consisted of the best players in the world in the 40+ age division. The competition on the court was intense with Brazil leading the pack in the pool play. The home team entered the double-elimination tournament in the top spot and maintained that position throughout the competition. A gritty but older team from Paraguay helped to eliminate Argentina first. Team USA, after a tough loss to Canada offered the knock-out punch and then bumped Paraguay into the Bronze medal match in straight sets. USA faced Canada once again, but couldn’t maintain momentum, leaving Canada to face Brazil in the finals and USA against Paraguay for the Bronze, where the United States won in straight sets.
The finals match for the men was easily the most exciting of the tournament. Both teams played an incredibly high level of volleyball, trading victories and forcing a 5th set to 15 to determine the champion. In the end, Brazil came out on top, earning the title of World Champion.
The women’s 55+ teams represented Brazil, Canada, USA and VIVI Sudamerica, a team comprised of players from various South American countries. As with the men, the women’s Brazilian team held the home court advantage which they never relinquished throughout the tournament. The finals were played between USA and Brazil with Brazil winning in three straight sets.
Men’s 55+ and women’s 40+ teams should set their sites on Sao Paulo for the 2017 Global Cup-Brazil.
Global Cup - Brazil
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Women’s age 55 |
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Men’s age 40 |
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GOLD |
BRASIL |
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GOLD |
BRASIL |
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SILVER |
USA |
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SILVER |
Canadá |
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BRONZE |
Sudamerica |
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BRONZE |
USA |
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4th Place |
Canadá |
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4th Place |
Paraguay |
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5th Place |
Argentina |
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