Milan, Italy, September 30, 2010 – Germany, Serbia, the Czech Republic, Russia, Argentina and two-time defending champions Brazil all recorded victories on the opening day of the second round of the FIVB Men’s World Championship Italy 2010 on Thursday. The FIVB Men’s World Championship Italy 2010 second round consists of six pools of three teams with the top two teams from each pool advancing to the third round.

Pool G in Catania
Germany beat Puerto Rico 3-0 (25-22, 25-22, 25-18)
George Grozer scored 24 points to help Germany to a straight-sets victory over Puerto Rico in the first Pool G match of the second round. The win gives Germany one foot in the third round while the loss is a big blow to Puerto Rico’s hopes of staying in contention. Marcus Bohme and Robert Kromm contributed 10 and nine points to the German cause while Hector Soto topped Puerto Rico’s scoring charts with 17 points and Jose Rivera added 11. “We never got going and couldn’t find our rhythm,” Puerto Rico captain Hector Soto said. “The Germans reached a certain game level and kept it for the rest of the match.”

Pool I in Catania
Russia beat Egypt 3-0 (25-21, 25-17, 25-18)
Russia outclassed Egypt in straight sets during the opening match of Pool I at PalaCatania. The blocking of the tall Russian team, ranked No. 2 in the world, was one of the main reasons for the victory against an animated Egyptian side who never quit despite the clear disadvantage. Maxim Mikhaylov top scored for Russia with 13 points including two blocks and one ace while Egyptian Ahmed Abdelhay led all players with a match-high 16 points. “I think the service of Russia is the best in the world because they have a lot of players in their side with that ability,” Egypt coach Antonio Giacobbe said. “When they are able to put some services like that it is very difficult for the opponent. The service is the door to start the action and when you combine that with a good block all I can say is that it is not easy.”

Pool H in Milan
Serbia beat Cuba 3-1 (16-25, 25-19, 25-22, 25-19)
Serbia, ranked 4th in the world, repeated their World League bronze-medal match victory by beating world No. 8 Cuba in Milan. Serbia's Ivan Miljkovic top-scored with 19 points while captain Robertlandy Simon scored 17.
The come-from-behind victory, Serbia’s 17th in 24 matches against Cuba, gives the 1998 silver medalists a great start in the race to qualify for the third round by finishing in the top two out of three teams in Pool H. The third team in the group is Mexico. “If Cuba had played as well as they did against Brazil, today the match would have been more difficult,” Serbia captain Nicola Grbic said.

Pool I in Milan
Argentina beat France 3-1 (25-16, 17-25, 23-25, 21-25)
An amazing haul of 22 points by Facundo Conte inspired Argentina to beat France for the sixth successive time with a dominant win in the first match of the FIVB Men’s World Championship second round Pool M in Milan. Conte, with his famous father Hugo looking on from the commentary box, was on fire with some sensational serving help Argentina win the crucial third set and genuine all round offensive play. “I think our serve made the difference in this game against a team that never gives up,” Argentina coach Javier Weber said.

Pool L in Ancona
Czech Republic beat USA 3-0 (25-19, 25-22, 25-22)
The Czech Republic swept USA in straight sets in the opening second-round match in Pool L at the PalaRossini. Jan Stokr led the Czechs with 15 points, including three aces. Jiri Popelka added 13 points, while teammate Peter Platenik contributed 12. USA were led by three players with 11 points apiece: Sean Rooney, William Priddy and Clayton Stanley. A deciding factor in the match was the Czech serve, with six aces to the Americans' zero. Both teams had seven blocks. “We weren’t nervous before the match and we didn’t suffer the pressure, so this might have been our secret,” Czech captain Jan Stokr said.

Pool N in Ancona
Brazil beat Poland 3-0 (25-16, 25-20, 25-20)
Brazil over-matched Poland at the Palarossini venue in Ancona in front of 5,650 fans in a repeat of the 2006 World Championship final won by Brazil. Four years ago Brazil secured a 3-1 win against Poland and on this occasion it was similar story with Brazil dominating the majority of proceedings. Leandro Vissotto led Brazil with 21 points, including 17 spikes on 29 attempts with four blocks. Murillo Endres added 12 points. Piotr Gruszka paced Poland with eight points. Brazil held team statistical advantages in all scoring categories – spikes (52-39), blocks (9-3) and aces (6-2). “This match was very important because of our previous defeat against Cuba,” Brazil captain Giba said. "We played very well from a tactical point of view and now we have to forget about this match and keep focused on the next one."

Standings
Pool G (Catania): Germany 2, Puerto Rico 1, Yet to play: Italy
Pool I  (Catania): Russia 2, Egypt 1, Yet to play: Spain
Pool H  (Milan): Serbia 2, Cuba 1, Yet to play: Mexico.
Pool M  (Milan): Argentina 2, France 1, Yet to play: Japan
Pool L  (Ancona): Czech Republic 2, USA 1, Yet to play: Cameroon
Pool N (Ancona): Brazil 2, Poland 1, Yet to play: Bulgaria

Highest Scorers By Day
Day 1: 28 points by Antonin Rouzier (FRA) in France’s 3-2 win over the Czech Republic in Turin
Day 2: 27 points by Maxim Mikhaylov (RUS) in Russia’s 3-1 win over Australia in Modena
Day 3: 28 points by Fernando Hernandez (CUB) in Cuba’s 3-2 win over Brazil in Verona
Day 4: 24 points by Gyrgy Grozer (GER) in Germany’s 3-0 win over Puerto Rico in Catania

Highest Set Score
34-32 (EGY v JPN  in Pool A) (CUB v Brazil in Pool B) Both matches played on September 27.

Tournament Top Scorers
79 Hector Soto (PUR)
77 Facundo Conte (ARG)
75 Gyrgy Grozer (GER)
74 Antonin Rouzier (FRA)
71 Maxim Mikhaylov (RUS)