Italy and Canada wrap up the women’s play on day two

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 6, 2016 – #9 seed Laura Giombini/Marta Menegatti of Italy wrap up the women’s competition on day two against the #16 seed, Canada’s Jamie Broder/Kristina Valjas.  Marta will be trying to improve on her 5th-place finish in London (2012), while the other three players are making their Olympic debuts.

Head to Head

The two teams have never met in FIVB World Tour competition.

Historically the #9 seed and the #16 seed have split their four matches in Olympic Games competition. The #9 seed won in Sydney (2000), 15-2 in 34 minutes and Beijing (2008), 24-22 and 21-12 in 39 minutes.  The #16 seed pulled the upset in Athens (2004), 21-16 and 21-13 in 39 minutes and London (2012) in the only match requiring an extra set, 14-21, 21-16, and 15-11 in 49 minutes.

Laura Giombini/Marta Menegatti, Italy, Seed #9, Pool D, Qualified 8th with 5,300 Points in the 2015-16 Olympic qualification period

• Laura: January 4, 1989 (27y7m2d), 183 cm (6’0″), 70 kg (155 lbs.), Hometown Perugia, 55th FIVB World Tour event with $53,313 in career winnings

• Marta: August 16, 1990 (25y11m21d), 180 cm (5’11”), 67 kg (149 lbs.), Hometown Rovigo, 82nd FIVB World Tour event (ranks 88th), one gold medal, $418,325 career winnings (ranks 32nd)

• Laura and Marta are playing in their first FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour tournament together. 

• Laura has never played in an FIVB World Tour final four.  Her best career World Tour finish is a 5th-place with Giulia Momoli in the 2014 Mangaung Open in South Africa. 

• Marta has played in 21 FIVB World Tour final fours with one gold, six silver, six bronze medals and eight 4th place finishes.

• Marta finished 5th in the Olympic Games with …

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