MATCH INFO

Hiroshima, Japan, November 8, 2011 - Press Conference, Italy v Argentina: Italy took their fourth win in as many games against the Argentinians to open round two. They will face Algeria next, and are looking forward to a difficult third round after that.

Italy coach Massimo Barbolini: Today I’m happy that we have won against a good team, and I think we have played with good intensity as was our intention. It was important to win with three points without losing a set. In such a balanced tournament it will be important for the final ranking. Now we have to think about the next match, and then the third round which will be very hard for us.

On chances of finishing in top three: I think our chances remain the same; I think there are six or seven teams that can arrive in the top three - and Italy is one of them. Each match will be hard. South Korea has lost to Germany and Serbia, and now is playing Brazil. Korea will be our first opponent, and that will be hard. After that there’s Brazil, then Serbia. The third round will be very tough.

On Caterina Bosetti: I think that she has played a good match, though a normal match for someone who wants to play on this team. I am satisfied, but I’m sure she will do even better in the matches to come.

Carolina del Pilar Costagrande on facing Argentina, the country of her birth: I became an Italian citizen about 10 years ago, having been born in Argentina. One of the reasons for doing so was that I wanted to play in the Italian domestic league. After that I was lucky to make the national team, and I’m proud of that. I look forward to being a member of the Olympic team as well.

Argentina captain Emilce Sosa: This was a really difficult match for us. We played Italy before, and this is another experience that we’d like to take as a lesson for the future of our team.

On China tomorrow: I’ve not seen video of China yet, but like Japan they’re a strong team; a fast team. It will be a good experience to play them.

Coach Bastit Horacio: First I’d like to congratulate Italy. We expected a tough match today because they are one of the best teams and are headed for the Olympics. We had good rallies in the match, but we lost most of them. However, I hope we can do our best tomorrow.

On China tomorrow: We played South Korea, Thailand, and Japan before, and this is the first game with China. I watched and studied them before, and the only thing we can do is to play our combinations; quick combinations, and do our best.