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World League 2005 News
Top World League action returns to
Argentina
 Buenos
Aires, Argentina, May 31, 2005 - The premier
annual men’s international Volleyball
competition returns to Argentina after three
years absence when the second round of the 2005
World League Intercontinental Round begins this
Friday.
With the return of Argentina to the World League,
the light blue and white team will take on last
year’s bronze medallists Serbia & Montenegro in
two top class Volleyball matches at the Luna
Park Stadium in Buenos Aires on Friday and
Sunday.
These will also be followed by two matches in
round three on June 10 and 12 against Greece and
two games against Poland on July 1 and 3 at the
New Old Boys Stadium in Rosario.
Pic: Captain Hernán Ferraro sets for middle
blocker Gustavo Porporatto during Argentina's
two opening matches in Poland, which were both
won by the home side 3-1.
Prior to the World League competition, a
four-match friendly series in the north part of
the country against Cuba (which Cuba won 3-1)
attracted over 10,000 spectators so many fans
are expected in Buenos Aires with a fresh but
strong team playing against one the best teams
of the world.
The World League consists of the best 12 men’s
teams in the world and even though the Argentine
team started on the wrong foot with two defeats
(3-1 (19-25, 25-22, 25-21, 25-22) and 3-1
(25-20, 23-25, 25-23, 25-23)) at the hands of an
injury hit Polish side in Bydgoszcz, the world
number eight clearly showed they can play having
taken a set in each match and some sets decided
by a maximum of four points.
Serbia and Montenegro, meanwhile, also suffered
two defeats. The world number three, who qualify
automatically for the final round of this year’s
competition as hosts, went down to Greece 3-0
(26-24, 25-18, 25-21) and 3-1 (23-25, 25-22,
25-16, 25-19).
Poland had a strong fan group, and they
impressed not only the newcomers of the
Argentine team but experienced international
Volleyball players like captain Hernán Ferraro
and Gustavo Porporatto, now it is time to see
what the Argentine fans can do on their home
soil. |
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Competition Formula