Tomorrow Was Too Late

THIS WAS VOLLEYBALL, at least for USA and Canada! “If today was your last day, and tomorrow was too late, could you say goodbye to yesterday? Would you live each moment like your last?” From the song “If Today Was Your Last Day” by Nickelback.

Elimination struck both the USA and the Canadian men’s Volleyball teams Sunday as their World Championship runs came to a close. The USA lost a very inconsistent 3 – 2 match to Argentina, 19 – 25, 28 – 26, 25 – 20, 23 – 25, and 15 – 11; Canada, in the meantime, dropped a 3 – 0 contest to Germany, 28 – 26, 25 – 22, 25 – 23.  With these losses, both teams finished fourth in their respective pools and thus were eliminated from the World Championships. Now, both squads must make the long trip back to North America empty-handed, but hopefully with some lessons learned.

Here are the final results of Round 3 action.

Pool E of Round 2, Final Standings

Pool F of Round 2, Final Standings

I predicted that both Iran and Germany would finish fourth in their pools. However, both teams summoned up some serious grit and tenacity and won their final matches, finishing third in their particular pools.  Kudos to both Iran and Germany for a fine showing in both Round 1 and Round 2 to advance to Round 3, along with France, Poland, Brazil and Russia.

Now, since the top three teams from each pool advanced to Round 3, there are six teams left in two pools (Pool G & Pool H) composed of three teams each.

Pool G of Round 3                                                                                Pool H of Round 3

Match Schedule for Round 3 will encompass six matches in either Katowice or Lodz.

Well, The USA and Canada are eliminated, but let’s not forget the great Volleyball still being played in the World Championships, because, after all, THIS IS VOLLEYBALL!

 LET’S GROW THE GAME TOGETHER!