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 – Greece will be the next world championship event, taking place in Loutraki City, Greece, with men 60+ and women 45+ age groups taking the court. The tournament takes place August 18 – 21, 2016.
In October the Global Cup for men age 50+ will take place in St. George, Utah, USA, during the Huntsman World Senior Games. Competition takes place October 10 – 13 and promises to be intense.
For additional information on the Global Cup, visit www.globalcupvolleyball.com.
Global Cup
The Global Cup – World Senior Volleyball Championships, an event of the Huntsman World Senior Games, is an invitation only, true world-championship tournament where the teams hale from around the world and represent their country on the volleyball court.
Huntsman World Senior Games
The Huntsman World Senior Games is the largest annual multi-sport event in the world for athletes age 50 and better. The Games welcomes athletes from all around the planet every October to St. George, Utah, USA, to compete in their choice of 30 different sports. For more information visit www.seniorgames.net.
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