Venezuela set for best ever finish
 June
28, 2005 – World number 13 Venezuela
will have one thing on their mind when
they take on world number one Brazil
this weekend - second spot in Pool A. To
finish behind the World League defending
champions - who have already qualified
for the Final Round, which runs from
July 8-10 in Belgrade, by building an
unbeatable lead in the group - would
represent a significant improvement in
Venezuela’s World League fortunes,
beating their best ever finish
substantially in four years of trying.
Three attempts from 2001 to 2003 only
recorded three 13th place finishes and
after a year’s sabbatical, Venezuela are
on the verge of making a brilliant
return to the big time, with a seventh
place finish guaranteed.
New coach Eliseo Ramos has worked
wonders with the nucleus of youth in his
side but once again it has been captain
and point scoring machine Ernardo
‘Harry’ Gomez who has been the team’s
anchor right throughout the competition.
Two wins this weekend could see
Venezuela finish fifth provided that
Portugal slip up twice against winless
Japan.
For Brazil, who have only lost one match
all tournament, they will be looking to
iron out the creaks before heading to
Belgrade for the finals.
First match in Betim is set for 13:00
GMT on Saturday (10:00 local time) with
the second match on Sunday at the same
time. |
Competition Formula