Team Canada beat Brazil on Friday at the Men’s Volleyball Nations League in Manila, Philippines. It was an impressive win for Canada as they won in straight sets, 26-24, 25-19, 26-24. Brazil is a three-time world champion (2002, 2006 and 2010), 2021 Volleyball Nations League champion, and three-time Olympic gold medalist. Brazil won the gold medal at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, and the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
In the Canadian win, three Canadian players reached double digits in scoring. It was an outstanding game for outside hitter Eric Loeppky of Steinbach, Manitoba. Loeppky had 21 points (16 attack points, three aces, and two block points). Outside hitter Stephen Maar of Aurora, Ontario had 12 points (12 attack points), and opposite Arthur Szwarc of Toronto, Ontario had 11 points (11 attack points). Middle blocker Danny Demyanenko of Toronto, Ontario and Loeppky had two block points each, and Loeppky led Canada with three aces.
This was the 29th time Canada has faced Brazil internationally since 2003, and the fifth Canadian win. Canada’s other wins came in a 25-23, 20-25, 25-20, 24-26, 15-10 win in Toronto in 2012 Volleyball World League action, in a 25-22, 34-32, 25-23 win in Varna, Bulgaria in 2018 Volleyball Nations League action, in a 22-25, 25-20, 21-25, 25-20, 15-7 win in Gatineau, Quebec in 2022 Pan American Cup action, and in a 26-24, 20-25, 25-23, 25-22 win in the final of the 2023 Pan American Cup in Guadalajara, Mexico.
With the win over Brazil on Friday, Canada has qualified for the quarterfinals of the Nations League. They have a record of seven wins and four losses, and are in fourth place in the preliminary standings.
