TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras. December 17, 2004,- Honduras cleared a major hurdle when defeated Costa Rica 3-1 for its fifth victory in the XIII Men’s Central American Volleyball Cup this Thursday. 

The Hondurans had to battle very hard to beat Costa Rica 25-21, 21-25, 26-24, 25-23 and now need to beat Panama on Saturday for the gold medal.

It was the first loss for Costa Rica, considered as one of the favorites to win the competition between seven countries of the region.  

The match was played before a capacity crowd in the Gymnasium of the Tegucigalpa Olympic Village. Around two thousands spectators enjoyed the triumph under an atmosphere never experienced in the past. 

Honduras won the first set with a solid all-around game but the Costa Ricans came back strong in the second and took advantage of several service errors of the host team. 

The third set was as close as can be with either of the sides taking a lead of more than two points. At the end the Hondurans prevailed with the superb offense of Felix Sabio, Luis Salgado and Mario Palma.  

The fourth set was also very close and the chanting and clapping of the crowd really gave a boost to the Hondurans. Costa Rica saved two match-points but in the end a thunderous spike of Salgado was too much for the opposite wall. 

Honduras is now 5-0 and has a rest day on Friday. They play against Panama, winner of five titles, on Saturday. 

The Panamanians won their fourth match without losses while defeating Guatemala in straight sets by score of 25-19, 25-22 and 25-15. 

In the first match of the fifth day action, El Salvador scored its first victory of the event dispatching Nicaragua in only 73 minutes by score of 25-22, 25-17and 25-22. 

Today Nicaragua goes against Guatemala, Panama meets Costa Rica and Belize plays El Salvador. 

The standings after five days of action: Honduras (5-0), Panama (4-0), Costa Rica (3-1), Guatemala (1-3), Nicaragua (1-3), El Salvador (1-4) and Belize (0-4).