Belgium and Peru impress in YOG Girls’ opening matches

Singapore, Singapore, August 21, 2010 – Belgium and Peru won their respective matches in the opening day of the girls tournament at the Youth Olympic Games in the Toa Payoh Sports Hall in Singapore on Saturday. Belgium beat Egypt 3-0 (25-11, 25-12, 25-10) while Peru were too strong for hosts Singapor, winning in straight sets 3-0 (25-11, 25-13, 25-12).




Belgium's Pool B match against Egypt was a one-sided affair with the taller and more organised top seeds only conceding 33 points.



"If I was the coach (of Egypt) I would look at how we were organised on the court," Belgium coach Julien Van De Vyver replied when asked what he thought the Egyptians took from the game.

Belgium's Laura Heyrman scored an impressive 19 points against Egypt to be the best scorer for both girls and boys on the first day.

Van De Vyver's daughter, team captain Ilka Van De Vyver, felt there was much to improve upon. "Our serves had too many flaws today. I hope we can improve on it for the next game,'' she said.




Peru, meanwhile, had little trouble defeating Singapore in their Pool A encounter.



"There was a big difference in size which makes it very difficult to defend," Singapore's coach Ho Peng Low said.



Peru's ambassador to Singapore, Armando Raul Patino Alvistur, was among a group of about 25 Peru supporters waving flags and doing their best to drown out the raucous home support.



It was really emotional," Peru’s Clarivett Yllescas said. "We are all so excited to see people from our continent make their way down to Singapore to support us."



Day two in the girls’ competition sees Singapore play Japan and Belgium take on USA.