In Pool P Russia needed only 3 short sets to beat Argentina. In Pool Q Cuba claimed the victory after a long and exciting match against Bulgaria.
Pool P: Argentina – Russia
In Pool P the situation was rather clear. Serbia from the 1st place goes to Rome to play in the semifinals. Either Russia and Argentina had a chance to fight for the places 5th to 8th. This game wasn’t exciting and confirmed the experts’ expectations. Russia from the first ‘ball’ showed their dominance over Argentina, especially in block. Strong service of Pereira created some problems to the Russian players, but they didn’t waste their advantage they took in the beginning and won the 1st set 25:22. The next part sterted with the lead of ‘Albicelestes’. Not for a long time. From the result 10:10, when Conte made an error in attack and Quiroga was blocked, Russia was waking up. They was playing better in attack and won also this set. The 3rd set was ‘without a story’. A total domnination of Russia in every element of the game. On the 1st technical time out on the scoreboard there was a result 16:6. Finally they won 25:15 and the whole match 3-0.
Argentina – Russia 0-3 (22:25, 17:25, 15:25)
Argentina: Blanco Costa (4), Conte (10), Quiroga, Sole (3), Pereyra (9), De Cecco (1), Gonzalez (L) and Giustiniano (2), Crer (3), Ocampo (6), Uriarte, Scholtis.
Russia: Khtiey (5), Grankin (2), Berezhko (8), Muserskiy (13), Volkov (9), Mikhaylov (13), Verbov (L) and Siwozhelez, Biryukov (1).
Pool Q: Bulgaria – Cuba
In Pool Q one thing was certain: Spain did not count in the promotion to the semifinals. Cuba and Bulgaria had equal chances to get to the next stage. Bulgaria started better the 1st set. Thanks to great service of Nikolov they quickly took the lead 6:2. Later the game was a little bit more tied but eventually the young players from Cuba made some errors while Bulgaria was excellent in attack and defense. In the consequence Bulgaria claimed the victory in the 1st set. The beginning of the 2nd set was a mirror image of the 1st one. Cuba is sure in reception. However, after 2nd technical time out in Bulgaria works block and Kaziyski and Nikolov are unstoppable in attack. Nevertheless, the set won Cuba with the ace in service. The next two sets are very tied. Bulgaria is making a great job in attacj abd block, Cuba serves stronlgy. Both teams are making many mistakes. The 3rd set won Bulgaria 28:26, the 4th – Cuba 30:28. Tie break is decisive. In the beginning Cuba took the advantage. After great service Cuba led 11:7. Then they made some simple errors (41 in the whole match!) and gave a hope to the players from Bulgaria. But Leon’s atack were very efficient. This extraordinary show ended Kaziyski with his serve in the net.
Bulgaria – Cuba 2-3 (25:22, 23:25, 28:26, 28:30, 11:15)
Bulgaria: Zhekov (1), Kaziyski (20), Nikolov W. (28), Yosifov (6), Aleksiev (9), Nikolov N. (7), Salparov (L) and Gotsev, Bratoev (3), Mitev
Cuba: Leon (22), Leal (6), Camejo (8), Cepeda (15), Simon (20), Hierrezuelo (8), Gutierrez (L) and Bell (2), Diaz (1), Hernandez (11)