The two teams attempted to get accustomed to each other in the first set. At the first technical timeout the Dutch had a small lead (8-6) after a killing block from opposite Kay van Dijk. The Americans came back to tie the score at 12-12, before the Orange team picked up two points from middle-blocker Wytze Kooistra. American opposite Evan Patak brought his team back again (17-18) as the teams stayed close until Dutch wing-spiker Robert Horstink scored two aces to make it 23-19. The Netherlands earned their first set point at 24-20 via an impressive spike from Horstink. The Americans were able to prevent the Dutch team from winning its first set-point after a killing block from Patak. Van Dijk, however, made no mistake with the third set point.

In the second set the teams were evenly matched (8-8, 14-14). Patak was the leading man again for the U.S. with his spikes and blocking points. At 14-14 the Dutch shifted into a higher gear. Two points from left-handed captain Jeroen Trommel resulted in a small lead (16-14) and two mistakes by the Americans saw the gap widen to 18-15. The Dutch did not relinquish the lead. Horstink added to the lead after being assisted nicely by setter Yannick van Harskamp, before Kooistra scored on the first set point to win 25-19.

Opposite Patak did not return for the Americans after being substituted in the second set for Brook Billing. Wing-spiker Sean Rooney took over the scoring role for Patak in the final set. Once again the score stayed close in the beginning, which set the stage for an exciting finish. At 24-22 the Dutch had their first match point after libero Jelte Maan made a great save. But it wasn’t until the third match point that the Netherlands capped the victory, Van Dijk scoring with a spike off the American block.

America’s Patak gave full credit to the Ducth after the match. "The Netherlands played very well. They have a young team with wing-spikers that have developed very well. We did not play like we can."

U.S. captain David Lee was also impressed by the Dutch, but vowed a different outcome in the rematch. "It was our first match after the Olympcs,” he said. “Tomorrow we will win."

Dutchman Kay van Dijk was happy with the result, saying his team deserved to win. Jeroen Trommel agreed with his teammate: "We played a very focused game and were the better team today."