MATCH INFO

Ankara, Turkey, August 20, 2011 - World No. 1 Brazil proved too strong for Argentina by winning a very hard-fought 5-8 semifinal thriller in five sets (21-25, 25-16, 23-25, 25-14, 15-10) against a strong Argentinian team. As a consequence, Brazil will face Germany in their battle for the fifth place while Argentina play Japan in the race for the seventh rank at 2011 FIVB Girls’ Youth World Championship in Ankara, Turkey.

Leading Brazil, as she has all tournament, was Gabriela who put up 29 points. Rosamaria and Valquiria registered 16 and 14 respectively for the winning side. Brazil’s team had an advantage in attacking, 68-50. Argentina were led by captain Priscila Bosio with 20. Maria Sol Calvete added 15 points.

Defending champions Brazil edged out to an early 5-0 lead in the first set but Argentina stayed close, eventually tieing it at 8-8 on a tremendous Bosio hammer down the line. There was nothing to separate world No. 1 Brazil and world no. 19 Argentina at this stage of the match. Au contraire, Calvete hammered an ace for a 20-17 Argentinian lead, before another Bosio missile put Argentina 1-0 sets ahead. 

Brazil, offended in their honor, regained the momentum in the second period, grabbing a six-point lead at the second technical timeout. Head coach Mauricio Thomas’ side showed more determination now, giving their opponents a hard time. Gabriela scored several spectacular points from the left to level the match 1-1 after two intense sets. 

Nevertheless, a 17-12 lead in the third set was not enough for Brazil to prevail. The young Argentinians bounced back fearlessly, pushing their adversaries to the limits. Brazil still led 23-20 in the deciding moments of the third set, but Argentina didn’t give up. Five consecutive points brought Argentina back into the match. A remarkable block from Calvete on Rosamaria ended the third set 25-23 in the favor of the blue-and-whites. 

Bosio and Calvete continued to attack well for Argentina in the fourth set, but Brazil’s Gabriela and Rosamaria countered with some searing winners through the Argentinian defense to take a comfortable 16-6 lead at the second technical timeout. From there it was all Brazil. A quick attack from Valquiria would eventually snatch the set for the Brazilians 25-14.

Argentina led 5-3 early in the tiebreak. But Gabriela kept attacking well down the stretch, and Paula and Rosamaria chipped in a pair of attacks at the end to take the tie-break 15-10, and the match as well.