Guatapé,  Colombia, December 10, 2011 – Strong overnight rains delayed the start of action on the third day of the Continental Cup, but once under way, the Brazilians and Argentines maintained their superiority in the competition. Brazil moved to 23 points and Argentina 20. Colombia and Venezuela are in third place with 16 points, followed by Uruguay bringing up the rear.

The third day provided plenty of drama, and the first game of the day was no exception. Argentina 2 (Luciana Forguez/ Gabriela Albano) overcame Venezuela 1 (Orquídea Vera/ Frankelina Rodriguez) 2-1 (21-18, 28-30, 15-11) in a marathon match that included a 58-point second set, the longest in the championship to date.

Colombia 1 (Andrea Galindo/ Claudia Galindo) and Argentina 1 (Ana Gallay/ Virginia Zonta) played in another classic in which the Argentines prevailed 21-17, 21-17 despite massive home support for the Galindo sisters. Although they lost, the Galindo sisters put on a strong showing for their fans and gave the Argentine pair a scare.

Colombia 2 (Sara Fraija/ Yuly Salamanca) also had the fans on the edge of their seats when they faced Brazil 2 (Livia Mendoza/ Thais Ferreira). The game was full of passion and the crowd were delighted when the home duo picked up the first set. But Brazil dug in to take the second and maintained their form in the tiebreaker to run out 2-1 (17-21, 21-18, 15-12) winners.

“They were boosted by the fans in the first set, but then we concentrated and imposed our game on them,” said the 20-year-old Thais, who is participating in her first international competition. “All the time, I thought ‘We are better’ and ‘We will show them on their home turf,’ and that’s what we did.” 

THIRD-DAY RESULTS

Game 1

CAMILA FONSECA/ ISABELA MAIO (BRA 1) def. SARA FRAIJA/ YULY SALAMANCA (COL 2) 2-0 (21-15, 21-18)

Game 2

LUCIANA FORGUEZ/ GABRIELA ALBANO (ARG 2) def. KARELYS MOSQUERA/ NORISBETH AGUDO (VEN 2) 2-1 (21-18, 28-30, 15-11)

Game 3

LIVIA MENDONÇA/THAIS FERREIRA (BRA 2) def. KARINA CARDOZO/ MARIA EUGENIA NIETO (URU 2) 2-0 (21-16, 21-14)

Game 4

LUCIA GUIGOU/ FABIANA GOMEZ (URU 1) def. ORQUIDEA VERA/ FRANKELINA RODRIGUES (VEN 1) 2-0 (21-17, 21-17)

Game 5

ANA GALLAY/ VIRGINIA ZONTA (ARG 1) def. ANDREA GALINDO/ CLAUDIA GALINDO (COL 1) 2-0 (21-17, 21-17)

Game 6

CAMILA FONSECA/ ISABELA MAIO (BRA 1) def. KARELYS MOSQUERA/ NORISBETH AGUDO (VEN 2) 2-0 (21-19, 21-15)

Game 7

LIVIA MENDONÇA/ THAIS FERREIRA (BRA 2) def. SARA FRAIJA/ YULY SALAMANCA (COL 2) 2-1 (17-21, 21-18, 15-12)

Game 8

LUCIA GUIGOU/ FABIANA GOMEZ (URU 1) def. LUCIANA FORGUEZ/ GABRIELA ALBANO (ARG 2) 2-0 (21-17, 21-14)

Game 9

ANA GALLAY/ VIRGINIA ZONTA (ARG 1) def. KARINA CARDOZO/ MARIA EUGENIA NIETO (URU 2) 2-0 (21-17, 21-11)

Game 10

ANDREA GALINDO/ CLAUDIA GALINDO (COL 1) def. ORQUIDEA VERA/ FRANKELINA RODRIGUES (VEN 1) 2-1 (21-19, 18-21, 15-10)