Three-time defending champions Sada Cruzeiro (No.1 Pool A) defeated Argentinean titleholders Personal Bolívar (No.2 Pool B) in the semifinals of the continental club tournament in straight sets, with the second set being closed only after 34 minutes, 25-19, 33-31, 25-16.
It was a replay of a duel between these two sides from the last year’s edition of the South American Club Championship, which then occurred in the gold medal game.
Bolívar, probably, could not do much more against Cruzeiro knowing the fact their starting setter, who ironically came as a medical joker at the end of December last year, Frank Depestele from Belgium, sustained an injury in the last round of the group stage against Lomas Vóley. According to media both in Argentina and Belgium, the season is over for a 40-year-old player as he ruptured the patellar tendon of his left knee (while making a serve), and expects a four-month recovery.
#Vóley #SudamericanoClubes2018 Este es el momento de la lesión de @frankdepestele el armador de @BolivarVoley en el juego vs @lomasvoley. Todavía no está el parte médico pero es en la rodilla izquierda pic.twitter.com/xMJ7lRPbMA
— JoseMontesano (@JoseMontesano) 2 March 2018
As for the match, Cuban Yoandy Leal topped Cruzeiro with 15 points, while Brazilian Théo Lopes scored 17 points for Bolívar.
Lomas Vóley of Argentina (No.1 Pool B) beat the hosts Montes Claros Vôlei (No.2 Pool A) in four sets, partially 25-21, 25-15, 21-25, 25-22, in the other semis to find themselves in the first-ever continental championship finals.
To see complete results, stats, and standings, visit our South American Volleyball Club Championship 2018 / Male / Seniors page.
SUBSCRIBE to have full access to WoV PROFILES, STATS, and WoVVIDEO.
Discover what’s new in the volleyball world.