Mazatlan, Mexico, June 22, 2012 – Canada and hosts Mexico will battle for the women’s beach volleyball ticket to the 2012 London Olympic Games when teams from the two countries meet in a final best-of-five series at the NORCECA Continental Cup on Saturday.

Teams that finish in second and third place will join the World Cup Olympic Qualification Tournament to be held in Moscow, Russia from June 27 to July 1.

On the road to the deciding clash, Canada breezed past with a 3-0 victory over Cuba, while Mexico prevailed 3-1 against Puerto Rico following two well contested matches.

Annie Martin/Marie Andree Lessard of Canada-B first defeated Cuba-A’s team of Nirian Sinal/Ion Canet 2-0 (21-13, 21-15) while Heather Bansley/Elizabeth Maloney of Canada-A dispatched Kirenia Ballard/Onayamis Sinal of Cuba-B 2-0 (21-17, 21-13). In the third match, Martin/Lessard crushed Ballard/Sinal 21-12, 21-10.

Bibi Candelas and Mayra Garcia of Mexico-A won their two matches against Puerto Rico to secure their country’s spot in Saturday’s finals. They first won 21-18, 21-9 over Dariam Acevedo/Tatiana Encarnación and continued with a 21-14, 21-15 victory against Yarleen Santiago/Yamileska Yantin.

In the losers’ bracket, El Salvador won a golden set 15-12 over Guatemala while Costa Rica swept Nicaragua 2-0 to remain in contention for third place. El Salvador will play Puerto Rico and Costa Rica go against Cuba on Saturday.

Friday’s results

El Salvador 2, Guatemala 1
GUA-A  d. ESA-B (25-23, 21-15)
ESA-A d. GUA-B (21-19, 21-13)
ESA-A d. GUA-A 9 (15-12)

Costa Rica 2, Nicaragua 0
CRC-B d. NCA-A (20-22, 21-16, 15-12)
CRC-A d. NCA-B (24-22, 21-10)

Canada  3, Cuba 0
CAN-B d. CUB-A (21-13, 21-15)
CAN-A d. CUB-B (21-17, 21-13)
CAN-B d. CUB-B (21-12, 21-10) *

Mexico 3, Puerto Rico 1
PUR-A d. MEX-B (21-18, 20-22, 15-12)
MEX-A d. PUR-B (21-18, 21-9)
MEX-B d. PUR-B (19-21, 21-19, 15-13)
MEX-A d. PUR-A (21-14, 21-15) *

*Advanced to the finals