Defending champions and CONCACAF powerhouse square off in the final of the Juegos Bolivarianos. Chile and Ecuador to fight for bronze
Two of the most competitive teams of the Pan American stage, Paraguay and El Slavador, will fight for the Gold Medal in the I Juegos Bolivarianos de Playa, taking place in the Peruvian beach of Huanchaco. The Guaraní and the Cuscatlecos sealed their access to the final following two consistent wins in the semifinals, against Ecuador and Chile, respectively.
The defending champions Paraguay earned the right to defend their crown after a brilliant comeback over Ecuador. The Guaraní found themselves 0-2 down in the first stages of the game, but their amazing reaction got them turning the score around in the last period, after equalizing the game in the second.
El Salvador did not have an easy time, either. The Azul Playera had to counteract Chile’s were in command all the time in their game against Chile, and thanks to a consistent 3-0 run got in control of the game. Chile wanted to strike back, but Belaunde’s hit was contested with a new 3-0 run that got things 5-2. The strike exchange in the last period was not what the Chileans needed, and El Salvador seized the ticket to the final with a final 7-4.
With the results yesterday, then, Chile and Ecuador will be fighting for the bronze, whereas hosts Perú will be taking on Venezuela for the fifth place. The two debutants, Bolivia and Dominican Republic, will vie for the 7th place.