Argentina detracted by Serbia in the last week of preliminaries – 2011 FIVB World League
A tough competition is going on between Serbia and Argentina in Pool C of the 2011 FIVB World League.
Argentina is just one-point away from Final round qualification, while Serbia needs two points to make it to the crucial final round. In the recent memory, Argentina and Serbia played a cracking match in Serbian City Novi Sad. Playing on Wednesday, June
29, Serbia outperformed Argentina in four-set play.
Serbs claimed match victory by posting 3-1 (25-18, 23-25, 25-18, and 25-22) on board. The thrilling volleyball show was attended by 7,100 spectators, who cheered at their favourite teams at the top of their voices.
The match was opened on a high note as both teams produced explosive serves. Serbian team was equipped with stupendous support of local fans. Moreover, the homely effect was simply a competitive edge for Serbia. They confirmed their ambition for victory
by putting consecutive points on the scoreboard.
Milos Nikic of Serbia added quick points and took the score by storm. Serbs let the game and covered the length of first set with success. Argentina suffered the set-back by receiving 18-25 defeat.
After dropping the opening set, Argentina hit back strongly and stormed Serbian half with ground-breaking shots. Serbs had good energy after winning the first set but couldn’t penetrate the powerful spikes by rival side in the second set.
Facundo and Rodrigo of Argentina formed a good combination and hit unstoppable cut shots. Serbs used Sasa Starovic, who played well but Serbia couldn’t avoid the tie of game-score anyway. Argentina hit the mark and levelled the score by winning second set
with close margin.
Loss of second set instantly made the home team more cautious. They made strong opening in third set and utilized their intelligent serves. Argentina lagged behind, while Serbia led the score. They widened the three point lead into six points and further
tightened the screws of Argentineans. The game progressed in the same fashion. Serbs kept an upper-hand on opponents and successfully extended their lead to 2-1.
The boys in ‘sky blue and white’ jerseys tried hard to gain the control of operations in fourth set but Serbian side refused to accept their better status. Pumped-up Serbs scored points after points and diminished the chances of Argentina to return in the game.
Better attack and defence enabled Serbia to announce match victory in fourth set of the game. Argentina could only help one set in the whole match, which was not enough to save them from regret.
Javier Weber, the Argentinean Coach complimented Serbian team for their brilliant act. He acknowledged that his team couldn’t give out the up-to-mark performance against Serbia. Besides, the Serbs played really well. Especially, the excellent serves proved
to be great trouble for his team. However, Weber expressed faith that his side will make a comeback in the next match. He has his eyes set on the second match on Wednesday, June 30.
Serbian coach Igor Kolakovic thanked Javier Weber for congratulation and appreciation of his team. He shared his thoughts after the match.
He stated, “The match was very hard, you could feel the heavy atmosphere in the air, but we played well and ended the match in our favour. The tomorrow’s match will be as important as this one, if not more, but I’m confident we will win.”
Besides, he credited his side’s victory to local fans as they supported the team throughout the match.
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