Santiago, Chile – The stage is set for a thrilling finale in men’s volleyball at the 19th Pan American Games as traditional powerhouses Brazil and Argentina gear up for a face-off in the grand finals at Santiago 2023.
Brazil soared past Colombia with a commanding straight-set victory (26-24, 25-18, 25-15), securing their place in the final showdown at Parque O’Higgins Arena. The Brazilian team, chasing their fifth title, showed dominant form and will be making their eleventh appearance in the gold medal match. Their victory also sets up a chance to avenge their 2015 final loss to Argentina, who are on a quest for a third straight Pan American title.
Colombia, despite a spirited start, succumbed to the Brazilian offensive as the latter hammered a 43-31 advantage in attacks complemented by a flawless serve game. Darlan and Judson from Brazil were notable performers, punching in 18 and 10 points respectively. Colombia will now contend for bronze against Cuba, marking their first medal round in the Games’ history.
Meanwhile, Argentina overcame an early setback against Cuba to triumph in four sets (21-25, 25-22, 25-18, 25-18). The Argentinian squad, undefeated in Pan American Games finals, displayed a resilient comeback, outplaying Cuba with a stronger blocking and attacking strategy. Bruno Lima led the charge for Argentina, amassing 24 points, bolstered by captain Facundo Conte and Gustavo Maciel’s significant contributions.
The Argentinian victory promises a gripping championship match against Brazil, rekindling a long-standing volleyball rivalry. On the other side, Cuba will pursue its fourth bronze in the Games, despite standout performances from captain Miguel Angel López and team efforts that fell just short against the defending champions.
