MATCH INFO
Argentina beats host Brazil and takes the lead in Pool F
Brazilian block could not stop Argentinean attack, which scored 49 points
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 6, 2011 – Top world-ranked Argentina reached the top of Pool F of FIVB Men's Junior World Championship on Saturday after defeating defending champions Brazil 3-1 (14-25, 25-20, 26-24, 25-17) at Maracanazinho Gymnasium, in Rio de Janeiro.
With its second straight win, Argentina has now six points and sits alone in the first place, ahead of Brazil and Serbia, with three points each, and pointless India.
As all the four teams still keep chances of advancing, the last match day will be decisive with Argentina and Serbia playing at 12:30 and hosts Brazil facing India in the closing match, scheduled to start 6:30 p.m.
Argentinean opposite Ivan Castellani finished with 20 points topping the scorers while teammates Nicolas Mendez and Agustin Ramonda added 12 and 10 respectively. Brazilian outside hitter Ricardo Lucarelli charted 19 points and Luan Weber added 12 points in the losing effort.
Brazil started the match imposing its outstanding level and, after three block points, outside hitter Lucas Loh spiked to score 10-6. In the second technical timeout, following a spike of Luan, the hosts achieved a 16-10 advantage, which expanded a lot as the match continued with the frame closed at 25-14 with a spike from middle blocker Bernardo Reitz.
In the early points of the second set, Brazilian dominance continued as the home boys scored for an 8-4 lead with Lucarelli's actions. Step by step, Argentina narrowed the distance in the scoreboard until taking the lead 12-11 with the spike of Nicolas Mendez. Following a couple of Brazilian mistakes, the Argentinean led 16-13 and maintained the difference to end the frame 25-20 with Castellani spiking powerfully.
Brazil started the third chapter ahead, scoring 7-5 with a block point of captain Otavio Pinto, but it didn't take long before Argentina tied at 12-12, taking advantage of a wrong spike of Lucarelli. The blue and white squad assumed the lead 16-14 and, counting on the good ball distribution of setter Juan Ignacio Finoli, managed to win the set 26-24 with Otavio spiking out of bounds.
Ahead in the scoreboard, Argentina became confident to play its best volleyball in the fourth set and arrived with a 8-5 lead at the first technical pause with the attack of middle blocker Federico Martina. A serve point of Finoli improved the Argentinean lead to 12-6. Brazil tried to react with outside hitter Hugo Silva and opposite Rafael Martins on court, but Argentina did not relax and kept the good level until the end, when Castellani to closed the match 25-17.
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