Algeria women clinch ticket to London Olympic Games
Hosts Algeria became the fifth women’s team to secure a ticket to the volleyball competition at the London 2012 Olympic Games after they won the Women's African Olympic Qualification tournament on Saturday, with a 3-1 (25-16, 25-21, 20-25, 25-12) victory over reigning African champions Kenya on the third and final day at Tchaker Blida Hall in Algeria.
With the victory, Algeria guaranteed a place at the Olympic Games for the second time in row after they competed in Beijing 2008.
In the play off for third in the four nation tournament, Egypt beat the Seychelles 3-0 (25-18, 25-8, 25-21).
Algeria entertained the 5,000 fans in attendance with their victory over Kenya coming in 88 minutes. Experienced wing spiker Faiza Tsabet and center Lydia Oloumou were the key players for Algeria with the skillful setting of Fatima Zahra also playing a part. Tsabet was the top scorer with 19 points while Oloumou recorded 16. Edinah Rotich was Kenya's best scorer with 13 points.
"The win came thanks to the sacrifice and good work of all the players who made a good preparation," Algeria coach George Strumelo said. "Now we will celebrate this qualification before begining to prepare for the 2012 London Olympics to make a good show."
The result was a repeat of the 3-1 win for Algeria over Kenya at the 2011 World Cup - the opening qualifying event for the Olympic Games - where they finished 11th and 12th respectively.
Algeria was the only African women's side to play at the 2008 Olympic Games while Kenya had the honour in 2004 and 2000. All three times, Africa's representative finished 11th out of 12 teams.
Women's teams qualified for the London Olympic Games: Great Britain (Hosts) Italy (World Cup winner) USA (World Cup second place) China (World Cup third place) Algeria (African Olympic Qualification winner)
Match Results
Thursday, February 2, 2012
16:00: Algeria v Egypt 3-1 (25-20, 23-25, 25-17, 25-20)
18:00: Seychelles v Kenya 0-3 (15-25, 21-25, 23-25)
Friday, February 3, 2012
1500: Algeria v Seychelles 3-0 (25-6, 25-6, 25-12)
17:00: Kenya v Egypt 3-2 (25-23, 23-25, 25-13, 20-25, 16-14)
Saturday, February 4, 2012
15:00: Algeria v Kenya 3-1 (25-16, 25-21, 20-25, 25-12)
17:00: Egypt v Seychelles 3-0 (25-18, 25-8, 25-21)