The third-round NORCECA-F tournament of the FIVB Women's World Championship features one heavy favorite and three contenders for the all-important runner-up spot in the competition to be played at Ciudad Deportiva Coliseum from June 21-23. Hosts Cuba, the Olympic bronze medalists and FIVB ranked World No.3, are overwhelming favorites to win the only ticket available for the Final Round of next year's event in Japan. Guatemala (No. 48), Nicaragua (53) and Trinidad & Tobago (tied for 53) are expected to battle for second place, which secures a berth in a playoff tournament scheduled for next month in Tijuana, Mexico. The four runners-up from all third-round NORCECA tournaments will compete for two places in the Final Round. Cuba, which received a bye into the third round, is currently undergoing a renovation process of its national team but it is still a dominant force led by middle-blocker Nancy Carrillo, heavy hitter Rosir Calderon and setter Yanelis Santos. The other three teams are coming from second-round competitions. The two sides from Central America have good defensive abilities, while the Trinidadians are very athletic and powerful attackers. Guatemala, led by Blanca Recinos, recovered to defeat hosts Nicaragua last December in a match for first place at the NORCECA-E tournament, while Trinidad & Tobago triumphed with an unbeaten record at home in the NORCECA-D event, where lefty attacker Krystle Esdelle and libero Courtnee Mae Clifford shared MVP honours.
The Pool F competition calendar is as follows:
June 21 TRI vs. GUA June 21 CUB vs. NCA June 22 GUA vs. NCA June 22 TRI vs. CUB June 23 NCA vs. TRI June 23 CUB vs. GUA |
