High intensity action as Cuba and Poland
remain unbeaten - France and SCG record welcome
victories
 Lausanne,
Switzerland, June 3, 2005 – Two stunning
victories for Cuba over Italy and Poland over
Greece sees both sides remain unbeaten on top of
their respective pools following the four
opening matches of the second round of the 2005
World League Intercontinental Round on Friday.
In Pool C, Poland come from behind to beat
Greece 3-2 (17-25, 25-23, 19-25, 25-20, 15-13)
while final round hosts Serbia & Montenegro
collected their first victory of the tournament
by handing Argentina their third successive
defeat 3-1 (25-23, 25-20, 19-25, 26-24). In Pool
B, Cuba’s sensational unbeaten run continued
with their third victory in as many matches
after beating Italy 3-1 (24-26, 25-18, 25-20,
25-22) while France snuck past Bulgaria in a
five-set marathon 3-2 (25-20, 18-25, 25-21,
21-25, 15-13).
 Both
Cuba and Poland are setting the World League
alight with some exhilarating play but with
Romero Poey leading the way with 24 points, Cuba
are in awesome form, highlighted by the fact
that coach Roberto Garcia made only one change
to his starting lineup all match in Busto
Arsizio.
“Why no changes?” Garcia asked. “Because all my
players played an excellent game. It is clear
that in certain conditions you won't change
anything. We played well from the beginning
until the last ball.”
We played a great game,” Cuba captain Pavel
Pimienta said. “We have to stay on this path and
go further. We are only at the very beginning.”
For Italy, the world number two and last year’s
silver medalists, it was their second loss in
three matches as coach Gian Paolo Montali
continues to experiment with new players.
“It is clear that we are in a difficult
situation,” Montali said. “We are searching for
our best way of playing Volleyball. We don't
have the team complete and in good shape but in
the away games, far from home, we will find less
pressure.”
 France,
who welcomed back exceptional libero Hubert
Henno from injury but were missing Philippe
Barca-Cysique for the same reason, collected
their second win to move into second place in
Pool B.
Meanwhile, Poland continue their glorious run
under new coach Raul Lozano. They beat Greece in
the battle of the two unbeaten sides in Pool C
despite both sides suffering from an horrific
injury toll. Helped by over 9,000 screaming
fans, Poland’s plight was best illustrated by
the fact that libero Krzysztof Ignaczak played
spiker for the first time in five years but it
was Mariusz Wlazly who led the way with 25
points.
Final round hosts Serbia and Montenegro moved
into clear third in the group after beating a
disappointing Argentina side who were hoping for
better things in front of over 10,000 passionate
fans. Sunday’s television “match of the day”
promises plenty in the rematch.
Saturday’s action sees Pool A open their account
with Portugal hosting defending champions Brazil
in Lisbon at 15:00 GMT and Venezuela taking on
Japan at 19:00 GMT. The second matches between
Poland and Greece and France and Bulgaria also
feature on Saturday.
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Competition Formula