PARIS, France, August 3, 2024.- Canada’s men’s team concluded the group phase in a battle with Serbia, that ended in a 2-3 (25-16, 25-22, 24-26, 19-25, 16-18) loss for Canada and finishing 10th in the overall standings of the men’s Olympic tournament.
Canada led in attack points 65-58, blocking 8-4, while Serbia led in aces 10-7 and made fewer errors 29-35.
Canada’s Stephen Maar, who put 28 points on the board for his team, reflected: “It’s the highest-level tournament in the world, and all the pools were difficult. If you’re not playing great, you’re not winning. Sadly, I don’t think we played one great match all together and that hurts,” said Maar.
“I’m grateful that so many Canadians are watching us play and I received so many well wishes from people here and at home, and I would like to give a great big shoutout to all the families of the guys who have supported us through this journey.”
Post-match, head coach Tuomas Sammelvuo commented that the team came out stronger in this final game than in the previous two matches: “We played today, we came with a different approach to the game… we were fighting. It would have been nice to finish with a win, but we didn’t. The taste of the tournament now is different as we were able to come out and play (in this final match).
“It’s been a hell of a ride for these past two seasons, and I would really like to thank the players, staff members, Volleyball Canada and all the up-and-coming players and coaches who have contributed to this program. To be in three Olympics in a row is proof of something… at the same time, this tournament teaches us so much about being focused. We will have to analyze everything much deeper at another time with cooler heads.”
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