Press release

Bahia Blanca, Argentina, August 24, 2011 – The second date of the second round promises some exciting matches as some teams have the chance of capturing one spot in the medal’s round of the 2011 FIVB Boy’s Youth World Championship which concludes in Bahia Blanca next Sunday.

The same goes for those teams battling for pride in the round for 9-16 positions taking place in Almirante Brown where some big names aspire to conclude the competition on a winning note.

Bahía Blanca

Pool F – Places 1st – 8th

Spain v France – 10:00
With both teams having won their first matches in Round Two 3-1 a victory could mean their qualification for the Final Round – something both teams dream of.  France looks to equal or even improve the Bronze Medal won in the edition 2007 while for Spain, being one of the surprising teams of the First Round their dream on stepping for the first time in history at a Boys’ Youth World Championship podium could become true if they keep on this same winning path.

Bulgaria v Greece – 13:00
As both teams came out with the hands empty from their first match of this Second Round they need very badly to win this one and keep alive a chance of winning a berth for the Final Round.  Bulgaria won a Bronze Medal in the edition 1989 while Greece a Silver Medal also in the same decade, in the year 1997. For the first time in the tournament the Greek team dropped a set.

Cuba v Serbia – 18:00
After winning two points on the first match of the second round defeating in a tie-breaker China, Cuba needs a victory to face the Final Round with confidence.  It has been its third consecutive tie-breaker. On the other side of the net, the title holder, Serbia had to fight a tie-breaker at the end of the day against the host team of Argentina. The match features the battle between two of the most prolific individual scorers with Serbia’s Uros Kovacevic (tops with 97) and Cuba’s Yordan Bisset, who is the best spiker.

China v Argentina – 21:00 (live broadcast by ESPN+)
China lost by tie-breaker after a very hard match with Cuba on the first match in its pool this Wednesday.  On Sunday they had to fight to leave Russia out of the Second Round so it will be a great effort to obtain their first victory and keep dreaming on the Final Phase.  Argentina also played a tie-breaker against the title holder Serbia at the end Wednesday so both teams with one point each will play after a very demanding first match on Pool E. The winner can keep dreaming on the Final Round.

Almirante Brown – Places 9th – 16th

Pool G

Brazil v Puerto Rico – 10:00
After not making the top-eight group, Brazil’s hopes are a finish on the 9th place – and Wednesday’s victory over Tunisia (winless in four matches) helps their chances. They are heavy favorites against the also winless Puerto Rico that lost 3-1 to Egypt.

Tunisia v Egypt – 13:00
With Tunisia’s record of 0-4 in this competition and Egypt overcoming Puerto Rico on the first date of this Second Round in its second consecutive victory (defeated Bulgaria last Sunday) both will try to play for the 9-12 places after their best appearance, fourth place in the year 2009 and in the year 2001 respectively.

Iran v Korea – 18:00
After the 2009 silver medal – no result will satisfy Iran (with a total 4 podiums in 7 appearances). After defeating USA in the first match of the Second Round they will go after the 9th place with a new victory and the first place of Pool G. Korea lost the first match of this second round against Russia on a strong tie-breaker on the last match of Wednesday.

USA v Russia – 21:00
With USA having a record of 1-3, it will be a tough task to defeat Russia, which had a great start and was left out by China on the very last match of the first round in the battle for places 1-8. On the first outing of the second round, the European team defeated Korea in a tie-breaker.