Canada wins to face Portugal in volleyball World League Group 2 final

MATOSINHOS, Portugal – Outside hitter Gord Perrin scored 20 points as Canada overcame Turkey 3-0 on Saturday in the Group 2 FIVB World League semifinal.

Canada won 26-24, 25-17, 25-23, with 11-5 block winners and fewer mistakes (14-20).

Baturalp Burak Gungor scored 19 times for Turkey.

It was back and forth in the early stages of the match with Canada entering the first technical timeout at 8-7. Perrin (seven points in the first set) moved the scoreboard forward for the Canadians to force Turkey coach Emanuelle Zanini calling his players off court at 17-19. Turkey bounced back, but could not close it out. An ace by Perrin brought Canada back, and then a Fred Winters’ block closed the set.

Canada kept the momentum in the second and stretched the lead to five points at 14-9. The Europeans did their best to resist but could not stop the strong Canadian offence. Zanini called another timeout at 13-19 but it was already too late for a comeback. A Turkish service mistake offered the Canadians a well-deserved 25-17 second set win.

Canada kept the upper hand even after Turkey attempted a comeback late in the third set. Perrin ended the clash with a block winner at 25-23 to give Canada a place in Sunday’s final match.

“I am very proud of my players,” Canada’s coach Glenn Hoag. “We didn’t play with a regular opposite, and Rudy (Verhoeff) and the team have done a great job at winning matches adjusting to this new reality.

“We are looking forward to playing Portugal — we know them well and it will be exciting playing the home team.”

Portugal beat the Netherlands 3-1 in the other semifinal. The final will be Sunday.