Resistencia and Corrientes, Argentina, August 16, 2015 - After another mouth-watering contest this Sunday, only five teams keep their defeats in zero at FIVB Boys’ U19 World Championship in Argentina. Host team and Italy are among them after well-earned victories, while USA, Poland and Brazil are as well but they had no action scheduled. France, China, Russia, Bulgaria, Germany and Iran filled the winners’ list of the day.
Club Sarmiento’s Alejo Gronda Hall in Resistencia was packed again for Argentina’s second triumph in the competition. The crowd favourites bounced back on time to defeat Turkey 3-1 (22-25, 25-18, 25-18, 25-17) with another fine night of Jan Martínez, who unveiled 19 spikes. He was well escorted by opposite Manuel Balague with 14 points, for the delirium of more than 4’000 fans.
Third time was the charm for France as Les Bleus finally left the court smiling after a 3-1 (25-22, 21-25, 25-22, 25-19) win over Belgium, on Pool A action. The Frenchmen were guided by the power trio of Joachim Panou, Thibaut Thoral and Toky Rojoharivelo, who collected more than half of the points of the entire team.
On Pool B action, there’s no stopping Italy so far. The European team brought down Egypt 3-1 (25-16, 20-25, 25-12, 25-19) for its third consecutive win, feeding from the African errors to create wide leads and using all the players from the roster.
Earlier, defending runner-up China netted a first victory after defeating Mexico in straight sets (26-24, 25-17, 25-21), with Yu Yuantai’s athletic abilities at full display. Sparked by Yu’s 18 points, China handled the game comfortably and outscored Mexico 14-10 with blocks from all of their players.
Simultaneously, Chinese Taipei couldn’t contain Bulgaria and wasted a 2-0 lead to end losing in a five-set match 3-2 (23-25, 16-25, 25-19, 28-26, 15-11). Chen Fu Yen for the defeated side and Plamen Shekerdzhiev on the winners scored 23 and 21 points respectively.
Asian Champions Iran had no mercy with Chile and imposed themselves 3-0 (25-11, 25-14, 25-21) with 15 points by Rasoul Aghchehli and an outstanding service performance by the hole team. 11 direct points from the service and a brilliant performance from setter Javad Karimisouchelmaei, who contributed with 5 of them, completed a fantastic output from Iran.
Russia overrun Japan in an uneven match played in Regatas’ Arena in front of more than 2500 spectators (25-20, 25-16, 25-17). The defending champions reacted and won after their unsuccessful debut against Brazil, holding now a 1-1 record and tying Japan with 3 points but one match less in Pool D.
Meanwhile, Germany assured their place in the next round after defeating Puerto Rico in straight sets (25-18, 29-27, 25-17) with the blocking power of Tobias Krick and a very fierce attitude that allowed them to win an unfavorable second set. Luis Ocasio’s 14 points weren’t enough for Puerto Rico.
Top Scorer by Day27 - Jakub Ziobrowski of Poland vs Bulgaria on August 14
24 - Maximilian Auste of Germany v Japan on August 15
23 - Chen Fu Yen of Chinese Taipei v Bulgaria on August 16
Top Scoring Performances27 - Jakub Ziobrowski of Poland vs Bulgaria on August 14
26 - Joachim Panou of France v Argentina on August 14
24 - Maximilian Auste of Germany v Japan on August 15
23 - Abdullah Cam of Turkey vs USA on August 14
23 - Chen Fu Yen of Chinese Taipei v Bulgaria on August 16
Top Individual Serving Performances7 - Micah Ma’a of USA v Belgium on August 15
5 - Dawid Woch of Poland v Iran on August 15
5 - Tomasz Fornal of Poland v Iran on August 15
5 - Esteban Villarreal Soltau of Chile v Chinese Taipei on August 14
5 - Ridel Garay Nava of Mexico v Egypt on August 14
Top Team Serving Performances13 - Poland v Iran on August 15
11 - Poland v Bulgaria on August 14
11 - USA v Belgium on August 15
11 - Iran v Chile on August 16
9 - Bulgaria v Chile on August 15
Top Individual Blocking Performances7 - Gianluca Galassi of Italy v Cuba on August 14
7 - Barthélémy Chinenyeze of France v Argentina on August 14
6 - Scott Stadick of USA v Turkey on August 14
6 - Scott Stadick of USA v Belgium on August 15
6 - Tobias Krick of Germany v Puerto Rico on August 16
Top Team Blocking Performances20 - Germany v Japan on August 15
17 - Chile v Chinese Taipei on August 14
15 - Italy v Cuba on August 14
15 - Argentina v France on August 14
15 - France v Argentina on August 14
Highest Scoring Sets29-27 Argentina v France (4th Set) on August 14
29-27 Germany v Puerto Rico (2nd set) on August 16
28-26 Bulgaria v Chinese Taipei (4th set) on August 16
27-25 France v Argentina (3rd Set) on August 14
26-24 USA v Turkey (3rd set) on August 14
Highest Scoring Matches224 - Argentina d France 3-2 (16-25, 25-23, 25-27, 29-27, 15-12) on August 14
216 - Chile d Chinese Taipei 3-2 (22-25, 25-22, 23-25, 25-19, 16-14) on August 14
215 - Germany d Japan 3-2 (23-25, 26-24, 26-24, 18-25, 15-9) on August 15
213 - Bulgaria d Chinese Taipei 3-2 (23-25, 16-25, 25-19, 28-26, 15-11) on August 16
212 - USA d Belgium 3-2 (25-20, 17-25, 25-18, 21-25, 19-17) on August 15