2016-07-01 13:04:00 CET
O Canada!
A day of celebration for Canadian Olympic hopes
Can the Canadians go one better this year in Poreč? Photocredit: Joerg Mitter
Last year’s Poreč Major silver medalists Sarah Pavan and Heather Bansley celebrated Canada Day by earning a quarterfinal place on Friday morning – and now they have eyes on going one better in 2016.
On a proud day for their country, the girls will be buoyed by the exit of Larissa/Talita – the team they lost to in the final 12 months ago.
After a comfortable victory over Spain’s Liliana/Elsa the fourth seeds say that they go into every tournament with high hopes of a medal –after all the Canadians have achieved 10 top 10 finishes in their last 10 tournaments!
“Our goal last year was to qualify for the Olympics and get into the top 15 and we’ve done that,” Heather told us after their victory on Court 3.
“We also had our first time in a grand slam and won silver here last year. It was a new experience for us. We had to readjust how we were playing but now we expect to win gold in every tournament we play – that’s what we want to work together.”
With three teams reaching the knockout stages at the Poreč Major, it’s an excitement time for beach volleyball for the Canadians.
“It’s great to see the program succeeding,” continued Heather. “I think it’s due to the fact these players have really invested themselves as athletes.
“I think they are striving to reach the next level and it’s great to see for our sport and our country.”
Up next for Pavan/Bansley is a quarterfinal meeting with Brazilians Fernanda/Josi – can they crown a day to remember for their country with a place in the last four? Stay tuned to our live stream and social media channels to find out!
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