MATCH INFO

Hamamatsu, Japan, November 28, 2011 - Russia defeated a tough, young Argentinian squad on Monday in the third round of the 2011 FIVB Men’s World Cup.

Argentina coach Javier Weber: First my compliments to Russia and to their coach. They played better than Argentina at the end of the sets. In the first and second sets they attacked better than us. We played well until we hit 18 points, and after this point I was waiting for some reaction from my team. But I think after 18 points Argentina quit.

[Late in the sets], the difference was the attacking play. Russia played better in attack, and this made the difference. Argentina made mistakes attacking but Russia did not.

On playing Italy next: Italy is a very good team. I think maybe after Russia and Brazil, they are the best in this tournament. To win that match we need to play better than today — we need to win that match.

Argentina captain Rodrigo Quiroga: I think we played the first two sets at the same level [as Russia], but we had maybe two or three mistake in each set, and that’s why we lost. Against Russia, you can’t make mistakes. Today they played at the same level the whole match and that’s why they won. Now we have to think about tomorrow and get past this match.

Russia coach Vladimir Alekno: As for Argentina, I have known their coach since our playing days. He did a good job to bring much improvement to their national team. I expect their team will be among the best in world in the future.

Today was not easy to win. We played a them a lot in past and this was not a simple matchup for us.

On Dmitriy Muserskiy not playing: He is not suffering any injury, but he’s not doing so well, so that’s why he wasn’t on the court today.

On facing Cuba next: Cuba is a strong and powerful team, and perhaps they have a chance for London [top three spots in the FIVB World cup earn berths into the 12-team Olympic Games]. So after this game we’ll prepare for them and consider what we need to do to beat them.

Russia captain Taras Khtey: Argentina is a good, strong team and it wasn’t easy to win today. Gaining just one point was difficult for us, as there were many long rallies where the ball went over the net five or six times. We prepared well, and studied their game formation, and that helped us pick up the three points today.