Press release

Dominican Republic claim first win of the tournament, road to 1/4 finals gets complicated for Team GB

Prisilla Rivera (left) was one of two Dominican players finishing in double digits along the way to a 3-0 win over the hosts of Great Britain

London, Great Britain, August 3, 2012 – The Dominican Republic claimed their first win of the Olympic tournament by edging the hosts of Great Britain in straight sets (25-9, 25-18, and 25-19) in what was a sort of last call to remain in contention for a spot in the 1/4 finals coming up next week at Earls Court.

Bethania De La Cruz paced the side from the Caribbean with 12 points with Prisilla Rivera also finishing in double figures with 10. GB captain Lynne Beattie registered a match-high of 11 points. The Dominican Republic killed a total of 13 blocks vs. only 3 for Team GB in what was the first match in history opposing these teams.

With the Dominican Republic having to play Algeria in the last round of the prelims on Sunday and GB set to take on Japan, the chances of the hosts to make it to the 1/4 finals look – unfortunately for the local, very passionate fans – quite minimized.

Britain were on a high from their first victory in Olympic volleyball after beating Algeria in their second group game, but Dominican Republic’s class was evident from the start. Key players Milagros Cabral de la Cruz and Bethania de la Cruz Pena spiked freely and, with Britain inaccurate in their passing, the Dominican Republic won the opening set 25-9.

Britain led briefly in the second set and improved their attacking play, with Lynne Beattie their best outlet but numerous errors cost them. The Dominican Republic defended brilliantly through Brenda Castillo and they won the set 25-18.

In then third set Britain managed to level the score at 10-10, but again Dominican Republic stretched ahead. Prisilla Rivera joined Cabral and de la Cruz in the scoring, and they won the set (25-19) and match.

Dominican Republic, who have one win and three defeats, play Algeria in their final pool match on Sunday, while Great Britain, also with one win and three losses, take on Japan.

Download highresolution

| More

More press releases


27.12.2012 14:44:20 Olympic Beach Volleyball review – What to expect in Rio? Lausanne, Switzerland, December 27, 2012 - As part of an end-of-year review series, the FIVB takes a look back at the success of beach volleyball at t... More...
27.12.2012 14:44:20 Voleibol Playa en los Juegos Olímpicos - ¿Qué podemos esperar en Rio? Lausana, Suiza, December 27, 2012 - Como parte de las revisiones de fin de año, miramos atrás en parte de la accion del voleibol playa en los Juegos O... More...
26.12.2012 09:41:42 Olympic Volleyball review - Stunning finals highlight terrific tournament Lausanne, Switzerland, December 26, 2012 - As part of an end-of-year review series, the FIVB takes a look back at the outstanding volleyball competiti... More...
26.12.2012 09:41:42 Revisión de Voleibol Olímpico – Impresionantes finales en un torneo extraordinario Lausana, Suiza, 26 de diciembre de 2012 - Mientras el voleibol playa capturó la mayor atención mediática en los Juegos Olímpicos de Londres, con sus ... More...
20.12.2012 17:11:37 Beach volleyball voted one of the highlights of London 2012 Lausanne, Switzerland, December 20, 2012 – Beach volleyball has been named as one of the highlights of the 2012 London Olympic Games by Olympic.org.... More...
20.12.2012 17:11:37 Un vote a désigné le beach volley comme l’un des temps forts des Jeux de Londres 2012 Lausanne, Suisse, le 20 décembre 2012 – Le beach volley a été désigné par Olympic.org comme un des temps forts des Jeux olympiques de Londres de 2012.... More...
20.12.2012 17:11:37 Voleibol Playa votado como uno de los mejores momentos de los Juegos Olímpicos de Londres Lausana, Suiza, 20 de diciembre de 2012 – El Voleibol de playa ha sido escogido como uno de los mejores momentos de los Juegos Olímpicos de Londres 20... More...
12.09.2012 18:24:41 Brink and Reckermann handling celebrity well Lausanne, Switzerland, September 12, 2012 – With Europe’s first beach volleyball gold around their necks, Brink and Reckermann have become genuine sta... More...
28.08.2012 16:58:48 Walsh reflects on May-Treanor retirement, while her career moves ahead Lausanne, Switzerland, August 28, 2012 – As three-time Olympic champion Kerri Walsh appears to have wrapped up her 2012 season, the FIVB looks back on... More...
24.08.2012 17:25:22 May-Treanor's retirement brings an end to the sport's greatest pairing London, Great Britain, August 24, 2012 – Three weeks after the end of the London Olympics, the FIVB reflects on the amazing team of Misty May-Treanor ... More...