MATCH INFO

Niterói, Brazil, August 2, 2011 – In a very balanced match, Belgium defeated Canada, 3-0 (25-23, 25-22, 25-17) in the first Pool D match on Tuesday at the Caio Martins gymnasium.

With the victory, Belgium improve their record to 1-1 and maintain a chance of advancing to the top eight teams in Rio de Janeiro. Canada fall to 0-2. For the last day of Pool D on Wednesday, Belgium will meet Iran at 4 p.m. local time and Canada face Serbia in the 6:30 p.m. match.

Belgium's François Lecat led all scorers with 17 points, including 14 attacks, two blocks and one service ace.

Belgium led Canada in spikes, 37-29, blocks, 8-6 and aces 4-2.

Tommy Bálisle was Canada's best player, scoring 10 points, including nine attacks and one service ace.

In the first set, the score was tied at 2-2 when Canada scored three straight points on an ace and two kills to lead 5-2. Belgium pulled to within one point several times, but never tied. Canada took a two-point lead at the first technical timeout (TTO) and extended it to 13-7 before Belgium called timeout and began its comeback with a kill. It scored three more points to pull to within three at 13-10. Canada came back with a kill and the teams traded points. With Canada leading 19-16, Nicholas Hoag scored with a block and Tristan Aubry and Tommy Balisle followed with a block to extend Canada’s lead to 21-16. But it was not enough as Belgium took the serve back and scored four more straight points behind the serve of Sam Deroo to tie the score at 21-21. With the score still tied 22-22, Belgium’s Francois Lecat scored with a spike. Canada called timeout, but Lecat came back with a second spike to give Belgium set point. Canada’s Tommy Balisle attacked off Belgium’s block to pull to within one. But Canada’s final serve went long.

The second set also came down to the final points. After many lead changes throughout the set, the teams were tied at 20-20. Belgium’s Deroo scored off a left-side attack. Belgium extended the lead to two at 23-21. Canada called timeout and Hoag scored with a spike but Belgium responded with a block and Deroo ended the matter with an ace.

The third set was the easiest for the Belgians, who led 8-6 at the first technical timeout. Canada tied the score at 8-8 and again at 11-11, but Belgium used a kill and block to go ahead 13-11 and Canada never led again.