Resistencia and Corrientes, Argentina, August 17, 2015 - Many questions are beginning to be answered after Day 4 at FIVB Boys’ U19 World Championship in Resistencia and Corrientes. Home team Argentina, USA, China, Mexico, Poland, Iran, Russia and Brazil were Monday’s winners and they are all moving forward, as well as Bulgaria, Germany and Italy. Only a handful of spots for Round of 16 are left open and those will be decided on a thrilling Tuesday.
It was another test for home boys Argentina at Monday’s last game, one where they had to regain calm and control. The local side grabbed their third win with a 3-1 (25-23, 25-20, 24-26, 25-19) over Belgium, relying as usual on young talent Jan Martínez - top scorer with 19 points. Argentina is now reconfirmed onto the next round, while Belgium will look for a big win over Turkey to follow.
USA’s spotless record at grew to 3-0 when they outclassed France 3-1 (26-24, 25-21, 23-25, 25-16), controlling the game with a remarkable use of their serving skills. The American boys scored 13 direct serving points, 6 of them from star player Torey DeFalco, who completed 24 points. Setter Micah Ma’a aced four times, towering Scott Stadick added six blocks and Kyle Ensing snatched 20 shots.
With another astonishing performance of outside hitter Yu Yuantai, China walked past Egypt 3-0 (26-24, 27-25, 25-15) and gathered another three points that carry them to the next round. Tireless Yu performed at his best with 21 points and a solid 68% on spiking, and he also was vital to vanish four set ball for Egypt in the second set.
Mexico’s dream run in Argentina went even further on Monday when they subdued NORCECA rivals Cuba by 3-1 (27-25, 25-20, 24-26, 25-22), also securing a place among the tournament’s best 16 teams. Captain Ridel Garay Nava continued to be the Mexican heart as he uncorked a competition-high 29 points.
In Corrientes, Poland came back after their rest day and Chile couldn’t leave a good image facing them. The Poles built their victory 3-0 (25-14, 25-19, 25-23) with an incredible demonstration by Bartosz Kwolek, who collected as much points from service than attacking, to end as the top scorer with 13.
Afterwards, Iran almost finished Chinese Taipei’s aspirations of advancing to the next round with a convincing 3-0 triumph (25-15, 25-16, 25-16) in a match that barely passed the 63 minutes of gameplay. Chilean players and coaching staff stayed to watch the show and celebrate a vital result for them.
After the break, Russia managed to contain Puerto Rico’s final onslaught to crown a straight-set victory (25-15, 25-20, 25-23) with a neat performance by opposite Dmitry Yakovlev. The Caribbean still couldn’t win in this World Championship and have only one life to try getting into the tournament‘s best 16 teams.
In the last shift, Brazil subdued Japan in three sets betting on Martins De Pinho’s quick arm for a 3-0 (25-18, 25-21, 25-17). A fine team performance allowed them to remain unbeaten in Pool D after 3 presentations. Daniel Martins De Pinho shined with 18 points and 65% spiking efficiency for Brazil’s win.
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
29 - Ridel Garay Nava of Mexico v Cuba on August 17
Top Scoring Performances29 - Ridel Garay Nava of Mexico v Cuba on August 17
27 - 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
24 - Torey DeFalco of USA vs France on August 17
Top Individual Serving Performances7 - Micah Ma’a of USA v Belgium on August 15
6 - Bartosz Kwolek of Poland v Chile on August 17
6 - Toray DeFalco of USA v France on August 17
5 - Dawid Woch of Poland v Iran on August 15
5 - Ridel Garay Nava of Mexico v Egypt on August 14
Top Team Serving Performances13 - Poland v Iran on August 15
13 - USA v France on August 17
11 - Poland v Bulgaria on August 14
11 - USA v Belgium on August 15
11 - Poland v Chile on August 17
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
27-25 China v Egypt (2nd set) on August 17
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