Mariano Baracetti and Martin Conde suffered more disappointments then they would have liked during the 2003 Swatch – FIVB World Tour, however these Argentineans relish a challenge and no matter who they come up against in 2004, the former world champions will command much respect.

The year was 2001; the location Klagenfurt, Austria and the newly formed team of Baracetti and Conde beat all who stepped before them on their way to winning the World Championship for the first time before claiming the 2001 World Tour title.

When asked about their general success as a unit, Baracetti said the good "chemistry" he shares with Conde contributes a lot. "We compliment each other," he noted. "That helps because being partners is a bit like a marriage. You have to be together all the time and be able to count on one another."

Yet some of that chemistry appeared to go missing mid-way through 2003 and the team suffered several surprise defeats in a number of tournaments, none more so than when they slipped out of the World Championships in Brazil in the round of 32.